EastScene

Thao Nguyen and the Get Down Stay Down’s latest album has been on almost constant repeat on my Zune. We Brave Bee Stings And All is a fun and infectious romp into what it’s like to be young and restless. Nguyen’s lyrics imbue a feeling of whimsy and youthfulness that isn’t present in a lot of folk pop these days. Her surprisingly deep lyrics depict somewhat troubling stories all against the backdrop of jangly guitars and hand claps. “Beat my brow. Beat my chest. Beat the ones that love me the best,” Nguyen twitters in the first few seconds of Beat (Health, Life and Fire) and effectively brings us into the world she has created. The listener is instantly a participant in the muted reverie and melancholy of the songs. Nguyen, if anything, is an unconventional storyteller with her music and this album is well worth the listen.

Thao Nguyen and the Get Down Stay Down are on the Kill Rock Stars label and you may find their music at thaomusic.com.