Moving House’ debut/self titled album is one which every ‘Hipster’ on Kloof Street – sporting a denim shirt, bowler hat and a pair of skinny jeans with a skinny Caffè Mocha in one hand, an iPhone in the other, has been anticipating. Even though one might feel that this band caters to  a pop/indie lover, I urge you to set your preconceptions aside and listen to this album with an open mind.

Even though most of the tracks found on this album would be fitting on an episode of Gossip Girl, there is no disputing that this is a great album and something we should not label as a “Great South African” album, as if our albums are inferior to the work that comes out of the States and Europe (this is a personal hate of mine). This is a great album on an international level, and the hard work and desire to create their own music shows in this particular offering.

Moving House‘ debut album is unlikely to provoke under-garment throwing and rapid head movements, but it is typical of the kind of bold album that respected bands produce when they aspire to play festivals at night and not during the day, while festival goers are pitching tents or laying in a ditch somewhere, still intoxicated from the night before.

Moving House is a two piece band comprised of Rob Davidson (ex Zebra and Giraffe, Blind Watchmen), and Andre Gideon Montgomery Pienaar (Ashtray Electric). Rob is responsible for Moving House’s electronically energetic sound, while AGMP’s warm baritone vocals are a trademark on their own, which I don’t foresee any local vocalist attempting to mimic. His vocals and the lyrics complement Davidson’s sound expertly.

The album isn’t filled with a range of songs fit for commercial album play, and that is what I love about it. It comes across as an album created mainly to produce music they can be proud of rather than focusing on scoring a Number 1 single on commercial station’s playlist, alongside hits created by manufactured pop artists whose music you will forget in a year’s time. In saying that, I do feel that this band stand a fighting chance to achieve some airplay, with tracks such as Body For A Hole, Gospel and not forgetting the hauntingly beautiful ballad featuring Chiano Sky (who dominated the scene during 2012 and has made a lasting impression with her distinct raspy and passionate voice) – Down There.

Moving house have crafted a perfectly rounded album which one might think caters for a specific audience – but this is one I guarantee can be appreciated by most music tastes, bar the metal heads who would prefer to use it as a Frisbee.

I give this album a healthy 3.8 out of 5. This is an album that will still keep its place firmly in your iPod’s Playlist.

You can Download the album here.