Alt-J, Wildcat! Wildcat!

[MATH FOLK] They’re not, first and foremost, Alt-J. The University of Leeds grads named their long-gestating project after the symbol for variable change most easily typed out on Macs by pressing the “Alt” and “J” keys, which may suggest the wrong impression. Though willfully difficult and heavy on the keyboards, the quartet’s synth-laden nu-folk takes pains to avoid shortcuts, for better or worse. And while critics generally believed Mercury Prize-winning debut album An Awesome Wave to be all the more rewarding for the EDM flourishes curdling an undeniable knack for roots-y melodies, Joe Newman’s strangled approach to vocals likely spent too long in the lab. 

Where: Star Theater
Address: 13 NW 6th Ave.