Super review by Cal Gibson, of The Secret Soul Society.

Italo-Swiss threesome, Pascal Viscardi, Yavor Lilov, and Alain Sandri, make a joyful, sun-kissed pop noise. A meticulous collaging of memories and emotions, poached in foolish friendliness and idle thoughts. It’s just the tonic for the midwinter meltdowns and lack of sunlight: a sharp, penetrating beam of happiness, directed straight at our darkened souls.

It’s all adult-orientated pop tarts, pop smarts, and popped-open hearts on Dopo Il Temporale. Masses of melodic hooks come with flashing eyes and ulterior motives: there’s a party going on on a barge in a canal in Amsterdam, and you’re on the guest list, amigo. Mediterranean madness, mixed with real flair and touch.

Similarly, Sale Sole channels Donald Fagen, by way of Lynsey De Paul: move the furniture back and turn the living room into a subaquatic slipway – we’re going in. Sinuous bass and parped synth lines meander, moving gently toward a colourful climax. Think Hugh Hefner breathing deeply in your ear and you’re almost there. Great stuff.

The title track, Elka Mare, goes cinematic, for a neat little interlude: open-necked collars and undone ties, shoes slipped off and barefoot in the head. The ghost of soundtracks past rediscovered, re-aligned, re-ignited. Make way for the new, blue breed. A touch of Fila Brazilia in the chord sequence maybe, just to spice up the sauce.

Guaglio! is another expertly chiselled piece. Unwrap it like you’re encountering a generous gift: tear the paper and let the joy flood in – it’s pure pop, mainlined and streamlined, the spectre of primetime Scott Walker squished into five fabulous minutes. These guys know their way around a melody, and then some.

So if you’re struggling to raise a smile, or catch a break, crack this little collection open and let it work its magic. It won’t end poverty, or put a stop to man’s inhumanity to man, but it might just make you forget the insanity for a few short minutes. That’s got to be worth a punt, right?

Viscardi & Il Duo Magnetico’s Elka Mare is out now, care of Cosmic Romance.