Bleep

Lilacs & Champagne are Alex Hall and Emil Amos of Grails, and here they present their second album as this new project, making more music rich in atmosphere. By applying the sampling methodology of instrumental hip hop to obscure far out psych and outsider bluesy pop, the pair have come up with an album that is dark, distinct and alluring.

There really isn’t much that sounds like this. Perhaps closest is Nicholas Jaar’s way with steady pace and murky sampling. What Lilacs & Champagne do here is darker though. Sounds are sourced from ‘70s Scandinavian porn (hence the title), obscure B-movies and prog-rock guitar solos to name a few. The result is one of strange and surprising beauty. The stuttering rhythm and nonsensical vocals bathed in tinkling piano on “Sour / Sweet” are peculiarly catchy, while the searing ring of guitars on “Le Grand” will stick on the brain for ages after. The cracked funk of “Police Story” takes you straight back to the world of ‘70s cop shows, while “Refactory Period” glimmers with an unexpected prettiness.

They’re at their best when at their most epic, as on the strung out Americana-ish scorched noise of “Hamburgers & Tangerines”, its climax resplendent in waves of dusty guitar and heady strings while bristling with plenty of desert heat. Definitely special.