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If D.C. is in the midst of a synthpop renaissance, Hyattsville’s Ploy sits at the forefront. The slick duo, formed only last year, has progressively sharpened its ability to sculpt a big, sad love song—the most powerful weapon in any synthpop band’s arsenal. But it’s a song from the band’s early days that best distills its knack for heartachey earworms: On “Fool,” released last fall, vocalist Gil Wojcik unleashes his falsetto to sing about an unhealthy attachment to an old flame. More recent tracks on the band’s new EP, Young For a Moment, represent fully formed interpretations of the formula. Tonight’s opening act, Pleasure Curses, has demonstrated a similar aptitude for sparkly, downcast songs—except the Northern Virginia duo makes the kind of brooding music more likely to turn up at a goth dance night.
Ploy performs with Leverage Models and Pleasure Curses at 8:30 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. $8. (202) 483-5000. dcnine.com.