The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart put out one of my favorite albums of 2011, Belong, but the drummer for the indie pop group also made time for a new side project this year (following the disbanding of The Depreciation Guild), Ice Choir, whose debut single I adore.

Kurt Feldman serves as frontman of Ice Choir, which, like The Pains, is yet another New York-based quartet (Patrick South, Raphael Radna, and Avery Books are the other Choir members). Their sound also harkens back to the Eighties, but unlike Feldman’s day gig, the era’s references are less John Hughes’ soundtrack heroes (New Order, The Jesus and Mary Chain) and more mainstream Top 40 (Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet).

On “Two Rings,” Feldman manages to channel the cool resolve of both TFF’s Roland Orzabal and George Michael — get well soon, George! — while the music glistens like the sun’s rays striking an arctic expanse. Lush and expensive sounding, “Two Rings” is super-spinworthy, status that the song’s music video, directed by Ryan Louie, seems to take its cue from.

Purchase Ice Choir – “Two Rings” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.