Vinyl Williams is after the same sort of vibe that the High Llamas and others chased. He succeeds for the most part on Cosmopolis, his new record that came out on Friday.
Opener "Probable Cause" rides a vibe that's part Flaming Lips and part Super Furry Animals, but the hooks of "Beaming" are more distinctive. This one soars, a faint echo of Broadcast in the sound here, even as Vinyl Williams pursues the kind of retro-influenced indie that worked so well for Boo Radleys and others. Elsewhere, "Solar Coaster" reveals a debt owed to Stereolab, while the languid "Precious Star" is more effective. A Britpop-ish ease with a hook works in Williams' favor when he ditches the trappings that tie this to the styles of the bands I've mentioned above.
When he's direct and heartfelt, Williams is a wonderfully effective singer. Closer "Hyperbolic" is a good example of that. The instrumental flourishes don't completely overpower what is a compelling bit of business. Fans of bands like Temples, should gravitate to what Vinyl Williams is doing here on Cosmopolis.
Cosmopolis is out now.
[Photo: Laura Moreau / Vinyl Williams Bandcamp]