SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

ONCE TWICE MELODY BEACH HOUSE ★★★★★

This is a shimmering soundtrack for hazy sunshine-drenched days with hushed vocals, burbling synths, low key beats and buckets of the melodies promised by the album title.

It is the eighth studio album from Beach House, produced entirely by the Baltimore duo – vocalist Victoria Legrand and co-writer, guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Scally – and using a live string ensemble for the first time and the 80+ minutes of music are so well crafted that each track sounds unique.

The irresistibly catchy Superstar is a real highlight, along with the hypnotic Illusion Of Forever and epic Over And Over.

By the time Beach House reach these shores in late May, Once Twice Melody will be established as one of the year’s best albums – a record to immerse yourself in.

THE KICK FOXES ★★★✩✩

Since her commercial breakthrough in 2012 on the Grammy-winning hit Clarity, Louisa Rose Allen has been exploring electronic music’s various stylistic nooks and crannies.

On The Kick, the Southamptonraised singer opts for the sort of emotive, melancholic pop expertly delivered by Robyn and Jessie Ware in recent years and does a good job offering her own take.

Growing On Me introduces a pop-punk feel, while Potential is retro-futurist funk reminiscent of Daft Punk.

While The Kick may sometimes lean towards imitation as opposed to innovation, it remains a giant leap forward for Foxes as she marks 10 years in the music industry.

SMALL WORLD METRONOMY ★★★★✩

In Metronomy’s latest album, Small World, singer Joe Mount writes teenage pop for ageing millennials. He has joked before that he will stop performing when he no longer sees young people at the front of his gigs.

Indeed, Metronomy’s latest album poses the question: How can a dad in his late 30s write about teenage heartbreak and angst? Indeed, in Hold Me Tonight, Mount, who has been with his girlfriend for 10 years, sings of unrequited young love.

The question is answered with a hefty dose of nostalgia and pared back guitar.

Small World may struggle to appeal to younger listeners, but older fans are sure find it a delight.