Two years on, and Aberfeldy still inhabit a world laced with joy, optimism and – betimes – giddy, unbridled affection. Do Whatever Turns You On follows on from the lovelorn splendour of 2004’s Young Forever, with more whimsical melodies and quirky tempo shifts to enchant and enthral. This time around however, the Belle and Sebastian pastiche comes with added backbone. Where budget restrictions previously played havoc with the group’s production values, Do Whatever Turns You On is a meatier collection framed within an altogether more expansive sound.
‘Hypnotised’ takes their country indie-pop and matches it with chiming electric guitars and equal doses of the B-52’s and Teenage Fanclub. The cheery ‘There You Go’ leans to more familiar territory with its snug acoustic guitars pierced by cello and bop-bop vocals. Though the lyrics resonate with winceful hippie-isms, singer Riley Briggs adds a charm to the group’s execution that you can’t but fall in love with.
On ‘All True Trendies’ and ‘Poetry’ quirky dabs of electronica weave in and out of a calm acoustic-led backing, quietly adding layers underneath Briggs’ vocal. Most impressive of all however are the faked 80s grooves of ‘Up Tight’, a perfect stab at nostalgic pop and a cousin of Kings Of Convenience’s ‘I’d Rather Dance With You’.
Past the halfway point the album begins to falter. ‘Let Down’ in particular could have come from any by-the-numbers indie band. A group in transition perhaps – but there’s good stuff here all the same.