Reviewed by Oscar Hyde

Abandoned Pools are the brainchild of overachieving Californian multi-instrumentalist Tommy Walter, formerly of rousingly alternative and creative mainstream rock band Eels. While Abandoned Pools don't indulge in such extreme eclecticism as that of Eels, 'Sublime Currency''s imagination is still highly impressive, especially considering it's linked to such strong songcraft. The title track bursts with sparkling synths, perfect pop guitar and one of the most attention-grabbing "C'mon!" choruses I've ever heard. "9 Billion" exhibits willingness to play around with dissonance and shifting tonics. "From Long Sleep" is a genuinely emotional quiet duet with Paris Carney. Closer "In Shadows", one of several quasi-orchestral tracks, is masterful in its complete atmospheric control. Much of the material feels inspired by recent M83, but there's plenty owed here to '80s indie Brit rock, 'Cities'-era Anberlin and Swimming With Dolphins. Unfortunately, 'Sublime Currency' very rarely feels more than the sum of its parts; possibly, I'm just a bit spoilt by that stunning opener, but the album seems to spend the rest of its running time trying to regain that first breath of very, very fresh air. No matter - it hits more than enough spots to make this a highly recommended pop/rock album and the overwhelming optimism is just the cherry on the top.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.