Pale Lights

Pale Lights have the sort of musical pedigree that, even before you listen to any of their songs, makes you want to hug them close. They count among their number ex-members of the long, lost, and legendary Kicker, Comet Gain, Crystal Stilts and Cinema Red and Blue.

Pale Lights have an eponymous single out now on their own Calico Cat label, and it's the sort of thing you don't hear too often. Some might call is classic indiepop (whatever that is), but these songs ooze of the sort of effortless cool that other bands have to pay for. I'm particularly taken with 'Boy of Your Dreams', which sounds like The Felt Tips playing their favourite Echo and the Bunnymen song, and the understated beauty of 'Ghosts of Youth' which makes me think of how Roy Orbison would sound if he wasn't actually dead and was into indiepop.

The whole ep makes me want to sit and play the record over and over again - y'know, like you did in the old days. Take a listen to the mod-ish 'She Won't Ever Calm Down' and tell me you don't want to get off the settee, get dressed up and go out dancing. And how many records do that to you now that you're that age?

Classy, sexy, smart and essential.