A sunshine confection that makes you want to select an appropriate Hawaiian shirt, hire a convertible and cruise along, top down, with this on repeat. Your insides will smile.
The arrangement has been loved – it’s rich and meticulous, with careful layering of instruments and a slick-as-you-like vocal arrangement. Tinkling piano (that develops to be teamed up with syncopated synth) and airy, plucked acoustic guitar sit gently amongst deep, warm bass, whooshing pads of perfectly-judged white noise and jangly guitars – all lending a sweet, nostalgic and summery feel to all things ‘two thousand two’.
The lead vocalist’s stylings are reminiscent of a cross between Connecticut’s Bronze Radio Return and James Blunt, making it an elastic, warming listen. The sweet lead vocal locks in tight to the backing harmony voices – which are used smartly to enhance the melody, building the narrative towards each hooky chorus. This ensures a gratifying listening experience to the arrangement that’s not dissimilar to the lushness of a Beach Boys vocal arrangement – except more subtle and contemporary.
The toe-tapping beat and tempo is marked out with finger snaps and a four-on-the-foor kick drum. And then, about two-thirds of the way through, we get an unashamedly laid back guitar solo that’s been beautifully produced (just like the rest of the track).
All in all, it’s audio honey; a summer soundtrack to lose yourself in and very definitely worthy of your listen.