Chairlift - Does You Inspire You
With 'Somewhere Around Here' the US outfit have crafted an emotionally charged fairytale ballad.
Possibly the most varied yet polished album to be released so far this year, sublime electronica nods toward country & western whilst energetic pop leaps into late 80s nostalgia, achieved with some accomplishment. Opener 'Garbage' smells like doped-up sex droid spirit, something that has been sorely missed since the departing of The Long Blondes - a band that can offer an honest comparison within the sound of the first track's moody guitar-led build.
'Bruises' is perhaps the closest to irritating that can be found here, but not least because of its TV associations. Following the perm-haired synth pop of 'Planet Health' and the Tarantino femme-fatale soundtrack, albeit with ethereal overtones, that is 'Earwig Town', the most famous and accessible track sounds a little stale until you remember the state of music in general.
Whilst 'Evident Utensil' and 'Le Flying Saucer Hat' confirm that Chairlift sit the right side of Ladyhawke in the school of retro-electro pop, for home listening it's the opium soundscapes that steal the show. With 'Somewhere Around Here' the US outfit have crafted an emotionally charged fairytale ballad. There's an air of contemplation saturating the chime-guitar, female-male duets that carry the tune over the four plus minutes of gently epic music.
The closing five or six minutes, divided into 'Chameleon Closet' and 'Ceiling Wax', are really one piece of music, gliding from ambience to a Kate Bush meets Poltergeist brooding, heartbreakingly peaceful closing statement. Drums build and fall as keyboards provide monotone melodies leading to the warmest key-changes.
A seeming anomaly, here is an act that can do the 80s, horizontal electronica and sexed-up pop whilst remaining in the shadow of rock 'n' roll, country and world music. Here is an act to remember.
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