I am a huge proponent of local music. I’m a big enough supporter in fact that I write for a locally based music mag. But even having said all this, my recent obsession with Local Natives’ EP Gorilla Manor has nothing to do with the fact that they’re from L.A. If anything, I was a little skeptical about this group of instrument-toting, harmony-driven, plaid-draped hipster kids (because let’s be honest, there are as many bands/artists spilling out of Silverlake as there are coffee shops). After a failed attempt to see them at their sold-out show at the Echo (there were droves of kids pining for tickets outside), I had to see what all the fuss was about. And I have to admit, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Gorilla Manor is an enjoyable listen—from their perfectly pitched harmonies to their strategically orchestrated instrumentation, these kids got it right.

You can tell that they aren’t messing around and are rightfully earning their street cred. This album has been receiving a lot of hype worldwide, even being named as the “album to watch” for 2010. Impressive. Take a listen via KCRW’s free listening party and see for yourself.

<3 tracks: “Airplanes”, “Wide Eyes”, “Sun Hands”