ORLANDO WEEKS
HOP UP
PIAS
★★★★
The hipster colonisation of 80s pop continues with former Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks’ second album, which he justifiably describes as ‘Cloud 9 music’. Vocally it leans to the left, often recalling John Martyn and Arthur Russell (thanks to Make You Up’s lithe harmonies). These comparisons are indicative of a generally adventurous, art-pop approach, also evident in the Mick Karn-like bass playing on the delicate Look Who’s Talking Now, while there are nods to cerebral synth-pop on No End To Love and Way To Go.