A warm 80s embrace with silky smooth production, Chairlift’s sophomore is a shameless pop album that almost immunes itself from criticism by being so damn likeable. Even the greatest cynic would be hard-pushed to hit the off button as the opener, Amanaemonesia, glides on a big, cuddly bass-line and chorus boosted synths. Of course having a singer like Caroline Polachek helps – her voice is on glistening form, running up and down the scales with her restless tones.

The Brooklyn duo finds themselves at dizzying heights of retro balladry on the slow-mo Cool as Fire. Should I feel guilty as I sway in time to Polachek’s melancholic and mountainous performance? Probably.

Admittedly these songs aren’t always heavy on memorable hooks, maybe that would only compromise the clouds on which they float. Musically the group turn most 80s stones for inspiration, from the Alexander O’ Neil soul-fuelled cruise of Take It Out On Me to the bouncy, chart-popping disco on I Belong in your Arms.

The tweaks and invention from Patrick Wimberly are endless – just check the screeching guitar/synth hybrid within the excellent Sidewalk Safari chorus, or the layered analogues and timbres on the obscured Turning.

There is little doubt that on Something Chairlift have injected their lacklustre debut with a new lease of life to create a far superior piece of work. It’s a modern record built from the sounds of another time – flirting with the 80s has rarely sounded this good.

-William Bell-