Dropping some of the folky elements of 2009's
Reservoir, London-based outfit
Fanfarlo move in a more synth-oriented, '80s new wave direction with 2012's
Rooms Filled with Light. Which isn't to say they've completely abandoned the grand and buoyant pop that made
Reservoir such a surprise. On the contrary, working with producer Ben Allen (
Animal Collective,
Deerhunter,
Gnarls Barkley),
Fanfarlo have crafted a sonically adventurous and somewhat angular album that finds them coming into their own as less
Grizzly Bear/
Arcade Fire-influenced also-rans and more of a uniquely addictive neo-new wave ensemble in their own right. Once again showcasing the yearning baritone of Swedish-born lead singer Simon Balthazar,
Fanfarlo also feature multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Cathy Lucas, who shares lead duties on a few songs. To these ends, we get the sparkly anthem "Deconstruction” and the
Haircut 100-sounding "Tunguska," with its blue-eyed soul saxophones. Elsewhere, the '80s vibe continues with "Feathers," sounding something along the lines of a midtempo synth pop duet between
David Byrne and
Kate Bush, and the bright, rambling "Tightrope," with its driving bassline coming on like a lost
Fun Boy Three cut. Ultimately, the great thing about the '80s vibe on
Rooms Filled with Light isn't that
Fanfarlo have aped their idols, but rather that they've found a way to make these Day-Glo, spiky-haired melodies feel utterly contemporary. ~ Matt Collar