PROLIFICA/PIAS
Emerging in the wake of the noughties, Circa Waves survived in a period when no one knew what was going on with guitar bands. Zane Lowe made their second single his Hottest Record In The World and their debut album subsequently bulleted into the Top 10 in 2015. This, their fourth, is actually two albums, the first of which (Happy) came out in January. In the world of streaming, every release must have a ‘story’, so this becomes a two-part concept. The tracks on Happy are perfectly acceptable Legoassembled indie rock; while Sad is much stronger, featuring more more interesting lyrics and electronic arrangements, with singer Kieran Shudall’s vocal delivery more restrained and considered - much more of a tuneful Matt Healy rather than a helium Alex Turner. Final track Birthday Cake is a future iPhone torch-waving classic.