In The Half Light [CD]

Lead single 'The Crowd' sums up the record's mood. A slice of subtly psychedelic soul undercut by plaintive electric piano and driving bass motif, it's warm soundscape evokes late-night, summertime adventures and bittersweet self-reflection. 'Bloom' saunters seductively before surrendering to a chorus so catchy it should come with a health warning, 'Say Nothing' is a breezy slice of yacht soul. 'Back To Earth', fuelled by disco strings, is contemplation as the summer sun burns, while the neon-lit atmospherics of 'Masquerade' are topped by a super-smooth falsetto from guest vocalist Lou Stone. Elsewhere, there's the irresistible instrumental 'Less Talk'. The spare, ambient throb of 'Exile' which houses some of the angriest words on the record ("An ocean in between us is not far enough/Stay gone") and leads listeners into the gentle healing offered by the sublime closing piano ballad, 'An Endless Wave'. 'Don't Call It Love' sits at the album's centre. As the initial spark that took us to the present, it's arguably the beating heart of this collection - spiritually, at least. Swim Surreal transports listeners to another time, place, and mental space. Nine songs telling a tale that begun in the half light and, somehow, resides there still.