Younghusband – Dromes

Like Hookworms, Lumerians and BEAK>, Younghusband are among the most convincing of the recent wave of psychedelia-inspired bands. With a rhythmically experimental krautrock bent on display throughout their instrumental tracks, and a studied Velvet Underground poise and cool on the vocal numbers, a healthy dose of 90s indie-pop makes for a certain palatability.

The album begins well with Running Water, which sounds like an experimental vocal cut from a bedroom producer: perhaps a nod to the band's origin as singer Euan Hinshelwood's solo project. The layering of voices evokes a cleaned-up Mary Chain, but as the band move into indie-rock territory with Comets Crossed, the reference points shift to accommodate more of a polished sound, and the four-piece begin to take on a more confident identity. Synths, drums, bass and guitar are arranged with studied scruffiness by Deerhunter / Wild Nothing producer Nicolas Vernhes, making for a solid debut. [Bram E. Gieben]