“Welcome to the US, 80s, 90s”, Mark E Smith once chanted. We’re firmly entrenched in both decades in Los Angeles singer-songwriter and musician Josh da Costa’s rather charming debut solo album.
Easy breezy jangle like ‘Proving Me Right’ and ‘Cordelia’ shimmer like cinematic Cadillacs on hazy highways, and ‘Skygirl’ and ‘Hospital Clown’ bounce like 90s Brit baggy anthems. But ‘Slip By ‘ and ‘Beach In the Rain’ come on like M83 by way of Pat Benatar, such is the neon, high gloss production. It’s pop in its most dreamy, sublime form.
With a voice dripping in honey, somewhat akin to an American Mark Gardener, it’s obviously an album which tilts at shoegazing, but also dances with eighties synth- pop in its upwards gaze. It’s perfect summer pop, but ephemeral, as its appeal will only last as long as an ice cream. But that, in and of itself, should be recommendation enough. Rather yummy, in the right space.
Out via Stones Throw on July 24th.
Hit The North 
Nice. I dig it.
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