Love Inks

Exi

(Republic of Music)

3/5

THE third album from Texas trio Love Inks pretty much follows the template of their previous work – precisely performed, minimalist bedroom pop.

While other bands would vary an album’s tempo and sound, there is something admirable about Love Inks’ refusal to budge from their brand of restrained electronica. 

If you like this kind of thing, then you’ll adore Exi.

Each song is built around the most basic of beats, often sounding like a heart monitoring machine, overlaid with bass guitar and lead singer Sherry LeBlanc’s smooth vocals. 

Less is definitely more on numbers like the Virgin Suicides soundtrack contender I Don’t Hear That. I have no idea what LeBlanc is singing about but when the words are sung as beautifully as this it really doesn’t matter. 

Urbane and sophisticated, Exi paints a very specific musical picture, which in the right mood can be captivating. 

Ian Sinclair 

Olof Arnalds

Palme
(One Little Indian)

3/5

ICELANDIC multi-instrumentalist Olof Arnalds returns with her fourth album Palme and, once again teaming up with mum founder Gunnar Orn Tynes, produces results which don’t disappoint.

The album opens with Turtledove, a pretty, electro-indie track drawing in elegant piano playing and tight guitar strumming, resulting in a memorably melodic song.

The next couple of tracks take on a more traditional folk and slightly more upbeat route, with Hypnose sounding more like Arnalds’ earlier output.  

The album’s far from perfect. Tracks Palme and Patience wouldn’t sound out of place on a relaxation album, while her unique and high-pitched vocals grate after a while.

But Palme is certainly more ambitious than her previous album Sudden Elevation. And she’s certainly an artist who will keep pushing her own boundaries. I look forward to hearing what she comes up with next.

Indianna Purcell