Review by Jason Barnard
Attic Lights were the darlings of the music press with their 2008 debut album Friday Night Lights but after leaving their deal with Island they’ve come back fighting with storming follow up Super De Luxe. It’s an infectious album blending indie rock and pop with sixties and seventies influences.
Kicking off with “Say You Love Me” it sets the scene for the core of Super De Luxe with its catchy melodies, stomping guitars and gorgeous harmonies.
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They bring a pop rock disco feel with “Stay Before You Leave” whilst they’ve taken their lead from Teenage Fanclub producer Frances Macdonald on the anthemic melancholy of “Mona Lisa” and pop hooks of “Don’t You”.
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On “Hit And Miss” I hear the energy of early XTC and on this jukebox of sounds it switches completely to Sweetheart Rodeo Byrds with the touching ballad “Lock Me Out”. Their tribute to The Big O, “Orbison” steers back towards powerpop with an instantly hummable chorus.
Ending with “Gabrielle” they save the best to last with McCartneyesque chords and a modern Beatles ballad Julian Lennon would be proud to present today.
So with Super De Luxe Attic Lights don’t expect pretentious lyrics or mindwarping sounds but instead hear an extremely enjoyable record from these Scottish pop masters.
