Stereolab
Chemical Chords (4AD)
Stereolab inhabit their own little bubblegum reality.
For almost two decades this little outfit have been successfully melding the musical tastes, techniques and technologies of the latter half of the 20th century into a stream of beautiful albums.
This one is very much in the same vein, although the music has been somewhat pared back to its more Spartan post-rock roots.
Laetitia Sadier's detached vocals trip alongside the furry buzz of the vintage synth equipment Stereolab are known for. A layer of horns adds a lovely corduroy effect while the whole thing is driven along by the clashing of what sounds like a troop of clockwork monkeys merrily bashing their cymbals together.
Opener Neon Beanbag is a poppy, foot-tapping celebration, while Three Women, with its chunky bassline and building horns, breaks over you like a spring dawn.