With the creative wells of contemporary pop suffering from a drought as of late, it is reassuring to know that our little island can still lay claim to bands like Carosel. Their irresistible brand of retro pop seems a perfect remedy for our recessionary woes, striking a perfect balance between soul and electro.

Following the quiet success of their debut Kaleidoscope, new EP Star showcases a duo daring enough to explore new territories without losing sight of what makes their music truly unique.

The pair display a capacity to incorporate some of the finer elements of older movements into their sound without ever confining themselves to one particular avenue of exploration. These divergences into different genres give each song a unique identity, revealing a new layer to the duo’s already mutli-dimensional sound.

Title track Star serves as a perfect example of postmodern pop, amalgamating the mellow, syncopated rhythms of early Ska with the effervescent melodies of modern electro pop.
 

The reverberating surf-rock whirl of McGrane’s guitar recalls the early days of the Beach Boys, adding a little colour to the song’s laid back sections. The series of counterpoints between guitar and vocal highlights the considerable chemistry between the pair, finishing each other’s phrases like a musical married couple.

Phelan’s angelic vocals combine the charm of Cathy Davey with the wit of Lily Allen, drawing the listener deep into a dream world of hypnotic melodies.

The song creates an uncanny union between upbeat pop and poignant social commentary, with the siren-like Phelan deriding the superficiality of tabloid celebrity in a tone as enchanting as a lilting lullaby.

The irrevocably catchy verse sneaks into your subconscious from the very first spin, while subsequent plays reveal the previously unnoticed depth of McGrane’s mellifluous melodies.
 

The sonorous soul sensibilities of Something I Need draws comparison to the golden age of Motown, and features an uplifting hook that’s sure to put a smile on the face of even the most pessimistic listener.

Phelan’s pitch-perfect vibrato bears more than a passing resemblance to Shara Nelson’s iconic inflections and yet she seems to carry a certain charm that is entirely her own. The snarl of McGrane’s understated guitar perforates the song’s pastoral surface, adding a raw tone to an otherwise serene landscape.

The vaudeville overtones of Easy are carried across in a casual, nonchalant tone in keeping with the style of Lily Allen and Eliza Doolittle. While certainly not a highlight, the song emphasises the duo’s willingness to leave the security of their comfort zone and experiment with their sound. 

Drawing proceedings to a close is the anthemic, indie-tinged Take Me, finding a melodic middle ground between Feist and Razorlight. Phelan soars like a seraph high above the bombastic, bass-driven rhythm section, creating a vocal melody as infectious as a cold in a hypochondriac clinic.  

The sheer depth of the duo’s carefully crafted arrangements situate them in a category of their own creation, far removed from the rudimentary style of fellow duets like the Ting Things or The Dresden Dolls.

New EP Star is a ray of light in an otherwise overcast musical climate; a colourful counterpoint to the palliative placebos peddled by the band’s characterless contemporaries.

8/10

Recommended.

John Ryan.