Dappled Cities
‘Zounds’
(Dangerbird Records)

This Aussie quintet are hardly young pups – forming aged 15 in the late nineties – but it’s taken us until now to discover just how glorious they are. ‘Zounds’ is their debut UK release (about time, eh?) and, from ‘Hold Your Back’ onwards, its soaring art-rock calls to mind The Flaming Lips, Empire Of The Sun and The Hidden Cameras at their most shimmering and infectious. The opening track is a great place to start with Dappled Cities but you won’t want to stop there. ‘Answer Is Zero’ is a gorgeous stomping highlight too, paving the way for the string-soaked sing-along of ‘The Price’ and in fact a whole plethora of dreamy delights. An unexpected triumph indeed.

Camilla Pia