My Lost City

Not to be confused with the Irish band of the same name who made a few ripples in the mid-1990s, this Cardiff-based outfit drew praise across the water for last year’s debut The Days We Found The Sun. The worthy follow-up produced by Greg Haver (Manics, Super Furries) combines an appealing blend of classic pop influences (Beach Boys, Kinks, Beatles) with an indie perspective shored up by strong songwriting on the part of band stalwarts Richard Griffiths and Peter Morgan.

Not that their retro leanings prevent them from opening proceedings with the bold declaration: “fuck the past, it’s overrated” on ‘Make You Happen’ the nearest thing to full-on rock and roll number on this otherwise low-key outing.

Classy, melodic songs with hooks aplenty and strong vocal arrangements are clearly the band’s hallmark and a pair of highlights include, ‘Gonna Stay Together’, a recent single and ‘Does She Look The Same’ – both lushly textured guitar pop gems in the Big Star/Badfinger vein. The Belle & Sebastian-like horn arrangements on the wistful ‘See You Again’ marks them out as sensitive, melancholic types while the yearning intensity of ‘How Do You Break Somebody’s Heart?’ boasts a gorgeous string arrangement.
Overall, My Lost City is a highly accomplished collection of songs. The languid and dreamy title track alone makes it a worthwhile purchase, whilst ‘Bee-stung’ – with its Brian Wilson-like chord-progressions, falsetto harmonies and Gram Parsons lap-steel – is yet another standout on this utterly charming album.