SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

CRASH

CHARLI XCX

★★★★★

With a roster of producers it’s remarkable Charli XCX has managed to make Crash feel cohesive as well as eclectic. Her fifth album opens with the AG Cook-produced title track, a two-minute sonic smorgasbord that encompasses both Prince and PC Music, ending in synthetic-sounding guitar licks (one suspects the 1975 had something to do with this, with George Daniel taking a co-producer credit).

Speaking of which, she has chosen some unexpected collaborators: New Shapes, for instance, features Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek.

And even apart from the big singles, there are plenty of bangers here. Lightning is a case in point: not content with summoning up 1980s-era Madonna, it proceeds to show us the woman who brought us Diamonds is still a fan of delightfully overblown extended metaphors.

WARM CHRIS

ALDOUS HARDING

★★★★★

New Zealand’s Aldous Harding is preparing for a world tour – including two nights at London’s cavernous Barbican – to showcase her outstanding fourth album.

Her success is well deserved, as her playful and joyous music sounds like no-one else. She specialises in songs with killer hooks that will stay with you for a long time, as on the piano-driven single Fever, the jaunty Tick Tock and Passion Babe.

Her mother is a folk singer, an influence evident on Bubbles, a sparse ballad that could be from decades ago, and Leathery Whip with its echoes of the Velvet Underground.

At just 10 tracks, Warm Chris, her most charming and accomplished album yet leaves you wanting more.

HOMESICK

SEA GIRLS

★★★★☆

Indie rockers Sea Girls return with their lockdown-produced effort Homesick. From opener Hometown, we are introduced to themes of nostalgia and memory.

Lead single Sick explores the difficulties and complexity of adulthood while Paracetamol Blues is a beautiful insight into a caring relationship.

Although it lacks the experimental spirit needed to take Sea Girls to the next level, this is a worthy follow-up without a single bad song.