Tomorrow (EMI)

Lovely British psychedelia, this has it all : sitars, changes of tempo, off the wall lyrics, sound effects. This album also includes a few tracks by the off-shoot Aquarian Age and some solo tracks by lead singer Keith West who became a bigger name because of "Teenage Opera" and thus Tomorrow became "Tomorrow featuring Keith West".

The album is "regarded" as one of the best psychedelic rock albums from the 1960s, i'm not 100% sold on that but when it is good it is very good, unfortunately it does descend into tuneless nonsense and whimsy (not of the good kind) all too often too. The album was not much of a hit as although it was recorded at psychedelia's height in 1967 it wasn't released until the next year when things were becoming a bit more... well square.

As usual with re-issues you get a lot of bonus tracks, the phased mono version of "revolution" is wonderful, better than the stereo version they went with on the original album to be honest. Another highlight is a cover of "strawberry fields forever".

MV : "Holy wood" by O. Children

Chairlift - something (Young Turks)

The third album by this synth-pop duo, and the first for 4 years, "Something" indeed has something about it. Beautiful pop melodies, lushly and often quirkily sung and smartly instrumented. Glorious choruses and catchy melodies galore, there is so much to enjoy on this album.

The stand-out tracks for me are "Ghost tonight" with its slightly more restrained melody and vocals that sound almost pleading and wide-eyed innocent and the sublime "Met before" with its intense pop energy. Another highlight is the kooky "Amanaemonesia" with its slinky melody and slightly bonkers vocals.

Its a brilliant pop album and a top quality example of modern synth-pop, taking the heritage and cool of the 80s and reinventing it with modern off-beat quirkiness. A total hit.

MV : "Run across the sun" by Downdime

Skittle Alley - just a kiss (Dufflecoat)

Skittle Alley's latest EP for Dufflecoat Records continues the wonderful indiepop pleasure of the earlier releases. Blissful and uncomplicated, crafted and heartfelt, joyful and beautiful that is Skittle Alley's hallmark and nothing has changed, you will be glad to know, on this 8 track EP or mini-album.

Tracks like "I did you no wrong" sport a beautiful pop melody, lush chords and a melancholic pop feel that reminds me of the likes of the Field Mice and Brighter. "Just a kiss on your lips" is a simple song if you boil it down, but in the hands of a master a simple song is simply essential as is this. "Sunray" is another example, really its just some guitar strumming and relaxed singing but thats all you need. Its reflective and melancholic sparking a whole load of emotions, reminding you of pleasant childhood memories, peering out of a rainy window in simpler times, lost love... Well for me anyway!

"The end" brings things to a joyful close. Again its a very simple song but works so well, everything is just so well judged such as when the (slightly) harder guitars kick in towards the end. Its just how such a song should end... and it does!

Released on Dufflecoat Records in June.