If you've not yet heard Aberfeldy's debut Young Forever I would strongly
advise seeking it out alongside this new single, as this is the perfect
time of year to enjoy its sparkling pop music. That record showed the
quintet to be tunesmiths with an appealingly quirky edge, light in touch
but not in weight. Enough, though, for them to catch the eye of James
Blunt's promoter, as the Scots will be supporting him on several dates
of his forthcoming European tour.
Hypnotised is recognisably theirs, brightly lit, uplifting and with
bursts of joyous harmony from Sarah McFadyen. The occasional
electronic squiggle dresses a pretty song, the production noticeably more
polished and with more weight than the debut album, but still leaving
plenty of room between vocals and instruments.
No sign of imminent second album syndrome from this most appealing
quintet - summer pop doesn't usually come out the can this fresh.