Nai Harvest Hairball

One major misconception commonly ascribed to two-piece bands is that they have to adjust to their limitations. Sheffield pop-punks Nai Harvest can easily confuse with only a cursory listen, the result of two friends who play together with such synergy that you’d only figure they’re a two piece if you see them play live. What’s most impressive about Hairball, their second full-length, is how they don’t abuse of heavily distorted trickery to make themselves sound larger than they actually are. Sure, there’s a life-affirming sense of vigor to their sprawling anthems, another trait to cross off the two-piece checklist, but they never overstep their boundaries as if emphasizing the spirit of living in the moment.

Nai Harvest are cultivating a foundation of trust and mutual cooperation, leveraging their unique strengths as songwriters. With an arsenal of clean guitars and lots of punchy hooks, the duo of Ben Thompson and Lew Currie sharpen their songwriting skills with straight-ahead rockers that never stray from the path of duty. Even in its moments of abandon, like in Sick in my Heart, the immediacy and delirious fun stands squarely against the ethos of rock music as a transformative vessel. These two aren’t reminiscing about the good times or dreading the pains of growing up with diminishing, wide-eyed wonder; if anything, songs like Melanie and Drinking Bleach show they’re still hung up on the one that got away. And that’s heavy stuff to deal with -  Bleach, in particular, emphasizes their vulnerability with some degree of sadness, as Thompson’s silvery chord progressions wedge as he laments, “and if you miss me at all.”

Not that that should come up as a surprise. Nai Harvest are currently part of woeful armada Topshelf Records, though they channel those feelings of romantic longing with high tempo charges that stride with head-up-high resilience instead of sickly sweet despondency. There’s plenty of high-five exuberance to go around like an amped-up MLM convention, and even a few “whoos” here and there to express that they are in high spirits. But who cares. Their idea of a party anthem may be quick to please, but their unpretentious honesty and just sheer enjoyment makes a lasting impression.