The labrador puppies of pop return...
So much these days is about the real, dirty world. Its a good thing nobody told The Thrills though, otherwise we would not have slices of pure pop joy to listen to, like 'The Midnight Choir.'
Taking its influence from the same place as every prior Thrills release, 'The Midnight Choir' manages to offer a safety net of familiarity while changing the formula enough to be interesting. There is no hint of the backbeat thud of piano that dogs their previous recordings and there are even times where, through the lyrics, one gets a sense that the band actually acknowledges its Irish parentage.
Melody plays a huge part of the single and does this flawlessly. Connor Deasy's vocals are still flower-petal delicate but now seem more infused into the music that surrounds it. There is a beautiful use of ostinato, hammering home that oh-so-catchy opening sound of mandolin.
'The Midnight Choir' is what fans of a band want to hear; something that does not alienate the fans but pushes the boundaries just that little bit further. It may have very little in common with political or social scenes or cultures but then, there is no better time for escapism.