Wampire wowed us with “The Hearse,” a frenzied, New Wavy lead single from their forthcoming debut album, Curiosity (out May 14 via Polyvinyl), but “Spirit Forest,” the LP’s second sample, proves that Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps are just as comfortable settling into a sedate groove. “Spirit Forest” works with the same basic mechanics as “The Hearse” — twitchy, post-punk-friendly rhythms, cobwebbed organ notes, a title referencing the after-life — but sacrifices that track’s momentum-killing ambiance for an overall slower pace. Even with two fewer minutes than “The Hearse,” producer Jake Portrait (bassist for Unknown Mortal Orchestra) finds time for left-field instrumentation, conjuring gassy synths and a quick, thin-stringed guitar solo.
