There’s something familiar about the breezy, indie pop sounds of Ultimate Painting’s sophomore album. The London-based trio led by James Hoare and Jack Cooper (of bona fide British rock bands Veronica Falls and Mazes, respectively) are able to turn into Paul and John or Lou Reed and Co. circa 1979. Hoare and Cooper’s vocal melodies are warm and lush (best on the super-catchy Sweet Chris), circling around sinewy guitar lines that prop up each tune. Think Real Estate, but with more energy.
Half the fun of listening to Green Lanes is pinpointing sonic references (that spright-ly piano in first single Break The Chain sounds straight from Rubber Soul, while opener Kodiak recalls a poppier Velvet Underground). But once you’ve finished playing Name That Influence, it becomes just a nice mid-tempo indie pop record with catchy guitar hooks. It’s still worth multiple listens – especially Sweet Chris and The Ocean – but if you beat the game, are you really going to replay it?
Top track: Sweet Chris
Ultimate Painting play Adelaide Hall on September 15.
