Hailing from Bordeaux, Alba Lua (Portuguese for ‘moon of the dawn’) are a seriously interesting proposition. They make the kind of dreamy pop music that was invented for hot summer drives, yet inject it all with a dark and prog-flavoured undertone that would suggest that storms are brewing up ahead. Almost like early Pink Floyd gone acoustic, this EP’s title track opener builds momentum in much the same way, beginning with Pepo Durantez’s sublime vocal utterances and each instrument subtly blending itself into the mix.
Second track “Sungaze” is a more straightforward affair, the eye of the storm almost, a chance for the listener to gather thoughts before the reverb-inflected closing number “Valley Of Abra” comes along to round things off in truly psychedelic fashion. Expect to hear much more from this lot in the coming months.
9/10, out 28 June 2010
Words by Oli Robertson
