Puro Instinct

Puro Instinct, led by sisters Piper and Skylar Kaplan, emerged from the Los Angeles 'hypnagogic pop' and lo-fi scenes of the early 2010s. Originally performing under the name Pearl Harbor, they quickly gained attention for their unique blend of 1980s jangle-pop influences (notably Felt and The Smiths) and modern dream pop sensibilities.

Their debut full-length, 'Headbangers in Ecstasy', featured contributions from Ariel Pink, further cementing their place within the experimental indie-pop landscape of the era. The band's sound is defined by its 'Malibu Nico' aesthetic: a combination of deadpan, breathy vocals and lush, intertwining guitar melodies. Over their career, they transitioned from the gritty, bedroom-produced textures of their early singles to the more sophisticated, high-fidelity synth-pop found on 2016's 'Autodrama'. Critically, they are recognized for their ability to evoke a specific sense of 'California Noir', blending the brightness of surf culture with a detached, urban coolness. They remain a significant reference point for the evolution of dream pop into the streaming era.