I was reading the name "Ian Sweet" and thinking it was some combination of Ian Hunter with the remnants of The Sweet. It's not. What it is a project from Jilian Medford that's absolutely affecting. Reach for your dream-pop labels, folks, 'cause this one is that and more. Here's more about Show Me How You Disappear.
"Sword" finds Medford cooing over popping instruments and washes of keyboards, while "My Favorite Cloud" and a few others here buzz with the fervor of old Curve sides. Elsewhere, "I See Everything" and "Dumb Driver" reveal a bright approach to balladry. Medford's voice is lovely, of course, but it's wrapped in production that's alternately soothing, like on these two, and abrasive on others. While this might be called shoegaze in some quarters, I prefer that dream-pop label as the whole thing has a hazy sheen that renders this pop music as heard in a dream. However you label this, the record's a pleasant surprise, and one which charmed me when I was least expecting to be charmed.
Show Me How You Disappear is out now via Polyvinyl.
[Photo: Polyvinyl]