Mogwai, a band who's music has reputation of being about as uplifting as their native Glasgow's weather, has released one of their happier tracks from their upcoming album The Hawk is Howling. "The Sun Smells Too Loud" is an appropriate name for a song that suprises everyone in a crescendoing bout of sunny disposition, even Mogwai themselves. The correct mix of tenures, progressive-leaning punk, and brilliant use of synths makes "The Sun Smells Too Loud" reminiscent of the title track from Television's Marquee Moon, never wasting a moment in its 7+ minutes. I have not heard the rest of the album, but Stereogum indicates that it's just as gloomy as always for Mogwai. This looks to be the jewel in the crown.

The Hawk is Howling arrives on September 23.