Ariels

Bent are usually lumped in with chill-out artists, but Simon Mills and Nail’s work is far more sophisticated than that of the new folk revivalists or Ibiza sunrise victims. On Ariels, their third studio album, the quirky pair vary their sound from deep, string-filled house tracks – ‘Comin’ Back’ – to the melancholy twang of country & western influences – ‘Silent Life’. However, the approach remains the same and the duo’s love of layered, spacey production, poppy melodies, warm instrumentation and angelic vocals is evident throughout. From the warm chords and vocal harmonies on ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Over’ to the magical harps, bluesy guitar riffs and seductive ambience that constitutes ‘On The Lake’, this is every bit as inspired as Moon Safari.