The Vaccines

If you haven’t been exposed to The Vaccines, prepare for your introduction. A quartet formed just last year, they’re already the stuff of legend in their native U.K. where, following an October gig in London, hundreds of fans were turned away at the door and those packed inside included buzzed-about musicians in their own right (Marcus Mumford and Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, among others). Acclaim spread with their demo track, “If You Wanna,” and 90-second single, “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)”—the one-two punch on this debut album, which stormed the British top 10 before hitting our shores last month. What Did You Expect From the Vaccines? is full of crisp, catchy songs. It’s retro—think Morrissey meets the Ramones—with a wryness that’s au currant. Case in point is “Post Break-Up Sex,” which juxtaposes a bouncy guitar line and lightweight conceit (“Post break-up sex/ that helps you forget your ex”) with resonant, melancholy undertones (“Leave it till the guilt consumes/ I found you in the nearest room … Maybe I misunderstood/ but I can’t believe you’re feeling good”). Now on tour, sweeping music-fest circuits in Europe and America, The Vaccines are set to spread. Get your dose early.