On November 11, Ex Cops will release Daggers, the duo’s brilliantly catchy follow-up to their 2012 debut album. Due out via Downtown Records, the 11-track effort trades in distorted twee anthems that take a turn towards synth-streaked dance-funk. There are traces of Lipps Inc.’s “Funky Town” on the ’80s inspired “White Noise,” while the record’s title track employs short sustained melodic snips that hint toward a far sleeker imagining of Owl City’s “Fireflies.”
Ex Cops’ Brian Harding and Amalie Bruun pause to show off a dreamier side on “Tragically Alright,” and with the help from Ariel Pink, a more absurd side as well. (Note the lyric, “I’m not going to cry tears of a clown.”) Nonsensicals aside, the band’s pop songwriting bravado shine through once again as delivered by the unwavering power of Bruun and Harding’s top level production. Stream Daggers exclusively below, and pre-order the LP through iTunes.