FALLING somewhere between girly pop and moody shoe-gazing music, September Girls are a pleasant change from homogenised chart music.

Throughout the album you’ll hear throwbacks to all kinds of musical styles, but most noticeable (particularly on early track Another Love Song), is Phil Spector’s Wall Of Sound era. While nowhere near as incredible or revolutionary, the sheer sense of volume coupled with the fact the vocals are occasionally lost within it, make it a fitting tribute.

Cursing The Sea is rarely a cheery album, and even when the guitars are riffing on 1950s surf music stylings, as on Left Behind and many others, there’s a dark and pessimistic feel to them that wouldn’t have fitted with the tracks they’re paying homage to.

But while bleak, the music itself is driving, fast paced, and guaranteed to get your foot tapping, while the distorted vocals and guitars create a feeling of being slightly off-kilter. Not enough to make it unpleasant, rather just enough to keep it interesting.