ALBUM REVIEWS

Simian Ghost
YOUTH
HEIST OR HIT RECORDS 5.3.12
@www.vanguard-online.co.uk


I have quite a growing penchant for Swedish indie acts – with the likes of Loney Dear and The Radio Dept getting regular listens, so given that this acclaimed trio shares the same heritage I listened with some anticipation.

This is their second full album following 2010’s ‘Infinite Traffic Everywhere’ and clear, crisp lines of shimmering guitar introduce opening track ‘Curtain Call’ before what sounds like the ethereal voice of an angel glides into ear-shot but which is in fact singer and songwriter and key component Sebastian Arnström. I must admit before I checked I did think this was a female vocal such is the high pitch he manages to achieve.

Crystalline pop gems such as ‘The Capitol’ very quickly follow, while dazzling lead single ‘Wolf Girl’ is a gorgeous hunk of infectious indie-pop. What is it about Scandinavian types and their ability to produce thoughtful and complex yet accessible dream-pop like this? Perhaps it’s related to the inspiring landscapes and the liberal attitude to the use of narcotics, but there doesn’t seem to be any bands in this country doing anything similar.

‘Sparrow’ is reminiscent of the acoustic exquisiteness of The Kings of Convenience, while the unutterably charming ‘Automation’ is like a throwback to the peculiar Avant-garde Krautrock of Stereolab.

While listening to this album you get the distinct feeling that they’re probably really nice people too – there’s a certain joyously revitalizing love of life present on sparkling tracks like ‘Crystalline Lovers Mind’ which just make you feel good about your fellow man. I think I might have to move to Stockholm.

Steve Claire

www.simianghost.com