I like a bit of art pop in the morning. It feels like victory to me. Hermetic Delight duly deliver an album that could easily be classed as a winner with “Vagabond Melodies”.
Hermetic Delight dance a good dance with this, their second, album with moves that take the songs from pure art pop, such as “Nine Lives Have Gone By”, to tunes that would trouble the charts in a world where music still mattered. This band are retro at times but in a food way for this isn’t mere derivation but, instead, respect reflection and, while you may think you recognise the ghost of post punk angularity, the prevailing concept is a clarity of vison. These nine songs have a cohesion that makes you wish for more and while some might even suspect that something subliminal is at work using those occasional moments of discord to deceive you into believing that you are not falling under this band’s spell. Interestingly, no one member aims for the spotlight with percussion, guitars and vocals all confidently walking the tightrope between adeptness and the showmanship. You won’t find me complaining about that either.
An album that is both easy to listen to and worthy of repeated listens isn’t a common occurrence even in these days of musical overload. I have to admit that I am getting to like “Vagabond Melodies” and Hermetic Delight.
Best song: “Morning Light”
Verdict: An all too brief encounter.
Available on vinyl from Bandcamp and from the usual digital places.