The album opens with the 1-2 punch of "White Vertigo" and "Headphone." Both establish the band's upbeat, dreamy and slightly retro-rock moods. "Headphone" is an easy candidate for the album's hit single, with a constant groove that's sure to bring down the house at any live gigs.

Let's dig in after the jump!

Headphone

White Vertigo

A batch of slower, dark songs follow. "Dear Change" brings an air of something slinky and dangerous laying in wait just underneath its smoky atmosphere. "Love Song" is indeed more sunny and charming, with a soft melody and muted drums.

Love Song

"Pop" is another big crowd pleaser, with "Yeah yeah pop!" repeated over a brash surf-rock guitar solos and slightly distorted drums. The album really takes off from there, with more echos of other raw yet melodic indie rockers like Noodles or Toddle. "Superb Space," "Bili-Bili" and "Hole!" are a trifecta of infectiously poppy choruses and irresistible hooks.

Bili-Bili

Hole! (Live)

The album ends with more muzzy, melancholy pop, perfect for a dingy underground club on a rainy night. Both "Pretty Sound" and "IN the Light" are stripped down to post-punk, almost goth levels of urgent guitar playing over some pretty sounds indeed.

Pretty Sound

Doctor Ray is a solid debut album from a very promising new band. It has a few of the hallmarks of a scrapped together first project, but also sounds absolutely pro where it counts most, namely the songwriting. All of the songs are catchy without being overly poppy, fun while still maintaining a dark air. It will be great to see what Molice does next.