Despite hailing from San Francisco, Magic Bullets fit very snugly into the New York scene occupied by The Walkmen and French Kicks. This is a world where warm-hearted nostalgia is evoked via seemingly drink-fuelled singing and comforting melody. It sounds potentially awful on paper yet, like their contemporaries, this sextet are capable of making the best of their lovesick woes.
'Heatstroke' captures all the best elements of this kind of music. Philip Benson's tear-stained vocals nail the emotion whilst the instrumental players keep a tight rhythm and melody where the verses are just as memorable as the chorus. The twin guitars of Corey Cunningham and Ryan Lunch provide another key part of the Magic Bullets sound. One opts for the choppy Gang Of Four style whilst the other prefers delicate and tuneful chord changes. 'Short Circuit' may be only an interlude rather than a proper song but the tagline "Self esteem can be such a tricky thing" neatly sums up the band's lovable loser aura. 'New Kicks' is almost celebratory in its delivery with only Benson's vocals bringing the listener back down to earth and towards the end of 'Circumstances' he even sounds like Kevin Rowland in all his hiccuping glory. In fact, much like a lovable drunk, Magic Bullets are an acquired taste but can be excellent company.