Entertainment

Albums: New music from Glass Animals, Psychedelic Furs, Washed Out and Layla Kaylif

The new Glass Animals' album, Dreamland
The new Glass Animals' album, Dreamland The new Glass Animals' album, Dreamland

Glass Animals – Dreamland

THE latest showing from electronic indie four-piece Glass Animals is a psychedelic trip down memory lane, with bass-heavy beats and introspective lyrics.

Dreamland is the band's third studio album and combines their distinctive electro-pop sound with influences ranging from the Beach Boys to Timbaland.

The popular single Heatwaves, released in June, perfectly captures the feel of obsessive young relationships. Big electronic drum beats feature throughout the album but a whimsical, nostalgic vibe creeps in through lighter synths and twanging guitar on the title track Dreamland, and Melon And The Coconut.

A standout track is Your Love (Deja Vu), released back in February, which pays tribute to the production styles of Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliot with its driving beat and dance-y melody.

As well as being rammed with enormous tunes, the wistful, throwback lyrics make Dreamland an apt and strong contender for one of the major sounds of an unconventional summer.

9/10


Mike Bedigan

The Psychedelic Furs – Made of Rain

MADE Of Rain, the first album from The Psychedelic Furs in 29 years, proves the new wave darlings haven't lost their edge.

In recent years the group have reformed on a semi-regular basis to play live dates. But they said they had begun to "feel like a jukebox" and set about writing new material to bolster their sets.

The Furs sported a rotating line-up throughout the 80s, anchored by the presence of brothers Richard and Tim Butler.

Made Of Rain recaptures some of the heady glamour of their early albums, and a fair dose of their swagger. It is also a markedly darker affair – and that's saying something for the band that inspired The Horrors and Interpol.

Pounding drums, soaring synths and brooding vocals are all present, but most importantly, the songs are just excellent.

8/10


Alex Green

Washed Out – Purple Noon

ATLANTA'S Ernest Greene returns with his fourth album as Washed Out. Opening track Too Late sounds instantly familiar, mid-tempo, muffled vocals conveying a vague sense of unease and regret, 1980s' drums, washes of synths.

A decade on from the 'chillwave' explosion, these days, his laid-back, tasteful sound seems more like yacht rock than the cutting edge. Chillwave always tends to be described as summertime music, hazy and shimmering, and, listening during a heatwave, Purple Noon ticks all those boxes – the title even comes from the sunbaked Mediterranean 1960 film based on The Talented Mr Ripley.

While the single Time To Walk Away is slightly faster and insidiously catchy – the sort of earworm that re-emerges days later with you wondering what it is – too many of the tracks struggle to hold the attention, with Greene's 10-year journey from scratchy lo-fi to polished textures inspired by Sade and Phil Collins ending in a bland cul-de-sac.

7/10


Matthew George

Layla Kaylif – Lovers Don't Meet

BRITISH singer-songwriter Layla Kaylif draws on Shakespeare, the work of 13th century Persian poet Rumi and US country music on her latest album.

Sound like a lot, right? But at seven tracks, Lovers Don't Meet is short and sweet.

Kaylif's voice is warm and graceful and the guitar work simple and direct.

It's a heady mix and one that benefits from the pleasing production she secured during recording sessions in Nashville with producer Jason Hall.

Lovers Don't Meet pays homage to a genre Kaylif has always loved, but it fails to replicate the soul or substance of true country music.

Instead, Kaylif fills up the album with references – to the queen of country Dolly Parton on Don't You Know Me Yet? and 20th century Syrian writer Nizar Qabbani on As I Am.

The result is a little messy, but enjoyable nonetheless.

5/10


Alex Green