Listening to much of The Mary Onettes growing breadth of work, one gets the impression they are surrounded 80s LPs, and that this is where they draw influence. From Echo to The Church, Go Betweens to The Smiths, this band pulls all the right elements to create one of the freshest sounds around today. The latest tune from these Swedes is “The Night Before The Funeral” and it’s right up there with past hits like “Dare” and “Puzzles”. Opening with a heavy guitar strum which soon gives way to chamber-hall stringed instruments, “The Night Before The Funeral” isn’t so much a progression for the band than a tune complementary to their library. With The Mary Onettes’ blend of influences, it’s precisely what you’d want.

Download: “The Night Before The Funeral” by The Mary Onettes

“The Night Before The Funeral” was released as a Record Store Day exclusive in the US last weekend (although not in Bellingham, unfortunately). The digital single hits on May 5, but you can get your fill of The Mary Onettes between April 19 and 29, as the band storms the US for select shows (also not in Bellingham). The good news is that they will hit the west coast! Here are the dates…

April 25, 2010: Sunset Tavern in Seattle, Washington
April 26, 2010: Holocene in Portland, Oregon
April 27, 2010: Rickshaw in San Francisco, California
April 28, 2010: Soda Bar in San Diego, California
April 29, 2010: Viper Room in Los Angeles, California

Shortly after giving us Dare, a brief three-song single, The Mary Onettes continue their reign of dark, heavily 80s-influenced pop with a new LP dubbed Islands. “Puzzles” is the first single and it’s adorned with thick melancholy vocals and a sound that is instantly reminiscent of 80s greats like The Church and Echo And The Bunnymen.

Despite its woeful key, “Puzzles” has unbearably catchy melodies, from the vocal hooks to the massive synth lines and backing percussion. It may very well be their greatest and most accomplished tune thus far, making Islands and easy album to anticipate. Islands will be released November 4 on Labrador Records, so you don’t have all that long to wait…

The Mary Onettes: Puzzles [mp3]

It has been two years since The Mary Onettes debuted on Labrador Records with their self-titled LP. Well they’ve returned with new single Dare and the title track remains as dark as any of The Mary Onettes’ prior material, yet it is still filled with the pop and upbeat nature so loved by Labrador Records.

“Dare” hints of a strong 80s influence. Bands like The Church and The Go Betweens and (perhaps a bit less-so than their prior release) Jesus And Mary Chain. It’s pop, but it’s got a fair share of mopey emotion. Dare hits via Labrador Records on April 29, and you can pre-order the release there. No doubt it’ll make its way onto iTunes and Amazon in due time.

The Mary Onettes: Dare [mp3]