Bonfires On the Heath

Saying that the Clientele’s sound is informed by a variety of pop shadings from the ‘60s is like saying the Velvet Underground were sort of cool. Their fourth studio album (its cover art design another nod to decades past) is so steeped in pianos, wispy vocals and winsome harmonies that newcomers to the party may think these guys (and gal) are original Merseybeat hipsters reincarnated. As the Clientele has deepened its commitment to the string-laden, quasi-sunny Brit-pop of nearly five decades ago, they retain their dreamy aesthetic that envelopes the listener in melancholy; “Never Anyone But You” swoons with yearning, and other shimmering jewels, like the gorgeous title track and “Walking In the Park,” are produced with clarity and a polished sheen that becomes them. “I Wonder Who We Are” and “Share the Night” are shaken and stirred with dance beats and disco guitar riffs, and Arthur Lee and Love are evoked on the brilliant “I Know I’ll See Your Face.” Bonfires On the Heath is really one beautiful mood, and the subtle hooks and choruses throughout are almost secondary delights.