Here comes the summer
Returning with a piano riff that forces the listener to smile and burst into 'Daydream Believer', The Concretes know that the summer is their time and 'On The Radio' soars and coos in all the right places.
The new Concretes album has been badly looked over and seemingly lost this year and part of this may have been down to the timing. On first listen it is darker than their previous record and it certainly lacks a killer track in the vein of 'You Cant Hurry Love' but it still had enough pleasant moments to brighten up a day. One problem was that it was launched in the middle of the cold snap earlier this year.
This reviewer trudged through thick snow to make the album launch night in Glasgow and even though the set was strong and warmly received, the music and feel of the band was at odds with the bitterness of the weather, and consequently, the album wasn't often returned to.
Now there is the chance to reappraise the record and this single release does a tremendous job of reintroducing us to The Concretes and reminding us why they stole a little bit of our hearts a few years back.
The chorus bubbles with joy and delight as the music takes off and sparkles in the background, whilst Victoria Bergsman's ice maiden vocals bounce over the top and brighten up the room.
Even b-side 'The First Time' is a masterclass in 60's style girl pop as you could well imagine The Crystals or The Ronettes sparkling and shimmying to this song.
As a one-two and a welcome to the summer, The Concretes have hit all the right notes here and perhaps it is time to dust off the album again and give it a fresh listen.