The Magic Numbers: Alias

Is it really more than 14 years since the formation of Magic Numbers? Amazingly, yes, and still these two pairs of London siblings (Romeo and Michele Stodart, and Angela and Sean Gannon) have yet to achieve even moderate commercial success. It's not for lack of trying, although with each successive album it seems as if the public wants them less and less: 2005's self-titled debut hit the UK Top 10; 2010's The Runaway, their third album, hit the UK Top 50. Resilience, however, might just pay off with album No 4, which sees Magic Numbers further refine their pop sensibilities. Opening track Wake Up sets the tone, although its lengthy art-pop coda goes on a tad too long. Not so the remainder of these compact tunes, which effortlessly fuse strong harmonies with deft arrangements. Still magic, then? Just about, but whether their days are numbered remains to be seen. themagic numbers.net Download: Shot in the Dark, Thought I Wasn't Ready