The High Llamas

Talahomi Way Drag City ***

You know what to expect from The High Llamas, and for once that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Still housing the talents of Sean O’Hagan (once of Irish band Microdisney, and still of High Llamas after a dozen albums), this is high-definition chamber pop of the highest order. O’Hagan has had the knack of composing (but perhaps crucially, arranging) quality music for many years now, and there’s a strong sense here that this gift isn’t going to disappear any time soon. Songs as fastidiously arranged and as dreamily good as Berry Adams,

Woven and Rolled

, the title track,

To the Abbey

and

Crazy Connector

weave their way between ear and brain, leaving a trail of references and influences in their wake, but never to the detriment of the material, which still sounds as singular and as classy as ever. See highllamas.com

Download tracks: Woven and Rolled, Crazy Connector