IF Club Tropicana ever set up a franchise in St Albans, it’d probably sound something like this. Friendly Fires might have been tagged as indie-pop, but their second excursion sees the pop leaving the indie trailing.
Part chilled-out Balearic bliss, part mid-80s slinkiness, and packed with huge choruses and rhythms which sound like they’re being played out on hot coals, Pala is an album of unashamed summer songs.
The crashing samba of Live Those Days Tonight, the skyscraping Blue Cassette and the warm, snaking harmonies of Running Away and Hawaiian Air are an impressive opening salvo, and although Pala sags in the middle and might be too sweet for some tastes, Pull Me Back To Earth and Chimes’ dream-pop give it a late lift.
You might not have expected an album of dance anthems from Friendly Fires. But you’ve got one.
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