by BrainBurner

The simplicity of Real Estate's music has simultaneously proved to be a boon and a minor thorn in the band's side since they wafted into indie-rock's consciousness five years ago, recalling fellow New Jerseyans the Feelies' jangly, elliptical mantras as well as Yo La Tengo's patient elegance. (In 2012, Courtney and his wife chose Yo La Tengo's "Our Way to Fall" as their wedding song.) "There’s something that’s kind of nice about our music," Mondanile says during a phone conversation from his apartment in L.A.'s Highland Park. (The rest of the band still live in Brooklyn.) "It's lackadaisical and less intensely emotional than, say, Radiohead. Our music possesses an ambient quality similar to electronic music—it's pleasing to have on in the background."