Shopping: Why Choose

Choppy, precise guitar work, and danceable bass grooves carry Shopping’s songs in a manner that mirrors fidgety UK post-punk in more ways than one. The group’s lyrics evoke the socio-political commentary of predecessors such as the Delta 5, as most songs lambast consumer culture. The band’s second album, Why Choose, kicks off with a title track that simplifies and castigates the instant gratification found online: “Why wait when it’s all at my fingertips?” Other tracks address social interaction, as the group’s shared vocal approach feels more like a conversation than lyrical excursions. “Take It Outside” finds guitarist and singer Rachel Aggs spoiling for a fight while Andrew Milk spiritedly and unsuccessfully pleads for the offended parties to “break it up.” ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆