▲最值得期待的蒙特利爾大團。 -- The Fadar ▲TOPS絕對是近年，最令人刮目相看的獨立的樂團。 -- Pitchfork ▲既可以將吉他搖滾玩得爐火純青，也可以將最迷幻的複古合成器把玩得游刃有餘。 -- The Guardian TOPS，是一支組建於2011年加拿大蒙特利爾的五人獨立流行樂隊。樂隊的前身是在當時已有不小的名氣的合成器流行樂團 Silly Kissers。曾於去年和 Molly Nilsson、Better Person 來中國巡演的知名歌手 Sean Nicholas Savage 便是其中一員。並且他們與牙縫哥 Mac DeMarco 的私交甚好。 TOPS 在加拿大的獨立流行音樂場景中，有著不同尋常的地位。作為本土最具特色的獨立音樂廠牌 Arbutus 的重要一員，TOPS 的名氣跟前輩 Grimes 和 Lydia Ainsworth 不相上下。雖然她們倆個主要是以電子或實驗音樂為人熟知，而 TOPS 依舊秉承著傳統的獨立流行。 2012年在Arbutus與4AD合作發行了Grimes大獲成功的《Visions》之後，Arbutus 旗下的其他藝人漸漸的成為大眾的焦點。 Arbutus將注意力集中於推薦適合當下年輕人喜歡的音樂，比如 Blue Hawaii、Braids、Doldrums、Majical Cloudz 等等。 TOPS便是其中將搖滾與流行音樂的傳統觀念，在實際創作中體現得最為一致的一支。他們既可以將吉他搖滾玩得爐火純青，也可以將最迷幻的複古合成器把玩得游刃有餘。獨特的 fuzzy 音效，以及如同被蜜浸染過的音樂，讓他們常常拿來跟前輩 Fleetwood Mac 和 Mazzy Star 進行比較。 他們耐聽又易於消化，浪漫又吸引人的音樂。使得他們成為，各大音樂雜誌和媒體爭相報導的對象，Pitchfork 上幾乎能看到他們每一次發新歌、專輯的狀態，Line of Best Fit 也是他們經常亮相的音樂媒體。在英國衛報做的加拿大獨立樂團的排名中，他們也名列前茅。 TOPS 由歌手 Jane Penny 擔任女主唱，她的獨特嗓音恰好完美地呈現了樂隊在音樂中所展示、投射的深刻復古情懷。魁北克是加拿大的法語區，然而在 Jane Penny 的身上你會看到一些關於她風格的一些不合時宜的感覺。他們的音樂從搖滾樂歷史中汲取精華，無論是上世紀90年代的獨立音樂還是80年代的朋克，但很少在一個歌手的身上能夠集合這麼多溫暖復古的因素。 她的高音在其自身的不完美中彰顯了個人特質，並且一些略有心機的製作讓它聽起來模糊不清，模仿了一種 lo-fi 卡帶播放時的感覺。他們還特意給自己的音樂都加上了一種低調的低音效果，就像用凡士林擦拭過的相機鏡頭，給照片帶來了一種複古的美感。大量的吉他即興演奏，甜美的和聲以及優美的低音合成音樂。 他們的音樂時常會令人產生，一種回到過去的感。彷彿你正駕駛著一輛上世紀70年代的福特汽車，正在美國西部的荒野裡極速地飛馳，汽車電台裡播放著軟性的搖滾樂。那種感覺彷彿回到了大衛林奇的電影《妖夜慌踪》（Lost Highway）裡，Jane Penny 略帶迷幻的煙熏嗓音一點兒也不俗氣，反而有種鬼魅難測的懸疑質感。 迄今為止，TOPS已發行了三張備受好評的全長唱片《Tender Opposites》《Picture You Staring》《Sugar at the Gate》。巡演足跡遍布歐美等多個城市，一直對亞洲抱有強烈幻想的他們，將於今年9月份首次登陸中國，並將在上海和香港兩地舉辦巡迴專場。喜歡lo-fi，獨立搖滾、夢幻流行的朋友可以去一探他們現場的究竟，看看當下加拿大的小青年們都在聽啥，玩啥。 “Jane Penny, the band’s lead vocalist, has made her unique lullaby-like voice resonate to the masses, with engaging tunes that have left us pressing repeat, repeat, repeat.” Ladygunn “Montreal-based indie poppers TOPS has established themselves as one of Canada’s most consistent musical exports, marrying evocative lyrics with infectious guitar lines and tender synths.” Nylon "Further," exclusively on W, has an incredibly catchy, dream-pop tune...“about struggling with emotions,” WMagazine “TOPS’, balances melancholy, romanticism, and ethereality in such a fashion that is simultaneously danceable and perfect for daydreaming.” Impose Magazine TOPS, in line with their name, is headed straight to the top! They have marked their spot as an indie pop favorite with their classic yet touchingly unique melodies that have moved their audience and listeners galore. The quartet hailing from Montreal has gained great attention and adoration with their soothing and rhythmic soft pop tunes that sets a mood of nostalgia and offer a chill vibe to its listeners. Think Sales meets Mac Demarco in a gentle and “weirdo” vibe. Together since 2011, with two of the lead members having known one another for more than 15 years the band displays an infectious and undeniable chemistry. Secured by Arbutus Records, home to musical sensation Grimes and more, TOPS has been recognized as having one of the most creative and distinguishable sounds in the montreal underground scene. Gaining increasing success with each album they’ve dropped, their most recently released album “Sugar at the Gate” has been the most prominent. With its vast array of melodic tunes bouncing from soft rock to a smooth lullaby of indie pop, they capture an essence that is familiar but new and inviting. Lead Singer Jane Penny has a shy, raw and genuine persona that attracts curiosity from listeners. TOPS is breaking molds and is proving to be what so many of us need. Their distinct and treasured tunes paired with resourceful lyrics and memorable harmonies is sure to sweep anyone off their feet. Their talent is promising, their success is undeniable and their future is bright.