2019 has been a funny old year in a few ways, but one thing has remained pretty constant: it's been a Grade-A time for music. There have been surprise drops, left turns, and unexpected comebacks on a near-weekly basis.
There's an ocean of choice in this age of streaming, so grabbing a precious headline to cut through the noise is proving harder than ever. Such a climate can make discovering new groups feel both easy and non-committal all at once, so with this in mind let us highly recommend, Peter Cat Recording Co. – something truly fresh to get your ears tingling and tongues wagging.
At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking these boys were just another indie outfit, not a stunning mix of bossa nova, gypsy jazz and psychedelia as if all sung by Dean Martin. It's smoother than a pint of butter while injected with a good sense of groove and fun. Following on from anthology release ‘Portrait Of A Time: 2010-2016’, 'Bismillah' marks the group's debut proper, and it’s a treat made for the summer vibes people.
Opener 'Where the Money Flows' sets the tone perfectly, hand claps, twinkling keys, field recordings, and Suryakant Sawhney's croon combining for maximum relaxation. 'Floated By' carries on the trend, added brass and synths bringing some very welcome bounce to proceedings. 'Heera' sees the quintet handle 60s pop with aplomb, joining some modern flourishes like lyrics about 'hard-ons' with some Morricone-esque back vocals. Nicely done.
A real highlight appears later with 'Remain in Me', an ante-upping number that acts as a joyous and chugging swansong before the tripped out 'Shit I'm Dreaming' ends things for good. It's a suitably off-kilter end for an album that proves both calming and unusual all at once. With 'Bismillah' the band have built on the scattershot promise of their first release and produced something more coherent, impressive and very special indeed. If you've got a little Beirut or Bonobo in your collection, don't sleep on this band.
This is the Bollywood-tinged, swinging disco album you deserve.
8/10
Words: Sam Walker-Smart
– – –
– – –
Clash Magazine as we skip merrily between clubs, concerts, interviews and photo shoots. Get backstage sneak peeks and a true view into our world as the fun and games unfold.
Buy Clash Magazine
