Bitte Orca

The first time you listen to Dirty Projectors' sixth album you may well experience a peculiar feeling of deja vu. On Bitte Orca, the band incorporate snatches of Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Flaming Lips – as well as more unexpected influences such as Air, Prince and even South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. There are also traces of electro-funk ('Stillness Is The Move', 'Fluorescent Half Dome') and Regina Spector-style piano balladry ('Two Doves' is a fine showcase for vocalists Angel Deradoorian and Amber Coffman).
This Brooklyn outfit have been on hipster radars for some time now. With Bitte Orca they seem to have set out quite consciously to widen their fanbase. It might be a push to describe it as a 'pop' album, but it's certainly the most accessible – and enjoyable – thing they've ever recorded. Fingers crossed the big gamble pays off.

Key track: 'Remade Horizon'