The Concretes – Wywh

Swedish octet pop collective The Concretes have put the departure of former front woman Victoria Bergsman behind them to come up with a curiously restrained collection of slinky tunes. Drummer Lisa Milberg has stepped up to the plate and her sad, engaging vocals make an interesting counterpoint to the band’s light disco sound.

At times the album’s sound is so light it’s in danger of flying away; songs such as Crack In The Paint and even single All Day at danger of hitting you in as insipid rather than an inspiring way, especially after a few listens; a bit like the sound of Celtic chanteuse Enya hanging out with some cool kids for a week. On the other hand, when the band play with an edge the results are much more interesting, the darker What We’ve Become a highlight as are the tight beats and guitar lines of Knck, Knck. [PJ Meiklem]