If we‰’re going to talk about super cool female-fronted collectives, there‰’s really no way we can‰’t discuss the sudden — and well deserved — rise of girly pop duo Chalk and Numbers.

Hailing from the bizarre land of Brooklyn, NY, Chalk and Numbers is often compared to a combination of Cults and a super-cute 1960‰’s throwback Zooey Deschanel. This is obviously in part because of the similarities between their sharply sung melodies and rhythmic jauntiness, reminiscent of The Beach Boys‰’ innocence.

What I find different about Chalk and Numbers is that even while their name is a direct nudge to elementary school blackboards, the duo seems to have an irony that both She & Him and Cults lack.

In “Boy‰Û, the third track from their most recent release Parade EP, sunshine-pop tambourines and bright keyboards stream lightly over angst-ridden lyrics chirping, “Did you act like you don‰’t care? / Even though you really do? / Did you act like you don‰’t care? / Because you didn‰’t want it to be true?‰”

Yes, it‰’s true! Bands of the 60’s probably did think similar introspective thoughts about an unrequited love; only it was usually to the love-flushed listener. Groups would only preach happier, hopeful phrases or painstaking, “my life is legitimately over, please leave me here for the dogs” admissions (Diana Ross, anyone?)

So, Chalk and Numbers, while you may be just one of many on the vintage nostalgia train right now, I’m glad you‰’re here and hope you don‰’t get off anytime soon. I can always count on you for some honest, “he‰’s just not that into you” belting.

Stream Chalk and Numbers’ Parade EP here: