By The Sea - By The Sea

A dreamy, psychedelic, sea-shantying six-piece from Liverpool, you say? We’ve been here a few times before haven’t we? But By The Sea’s widescreen charm and ability to write an earworm melody means they’re so much more than retro copycats.

Bill Ryder Jones produced this debut album and their Scouse heritage is hinted at throughout the record. A sprinkling of Shack here, and a dash of The Coral there. Elsewhere there are touches of early Verve, The Go Betweens and the Cocteau Twins. Yet the band they evoke the most is British Sea Power - both acts take the natural elements to reach for the heavens.

And for all those references By The Sea remain very much their own band. Their esoteric indie is pushed through a dreamy filter, their tunes shimmer and chime like, unsurprisingly, the movement of the sea. The title track is the sound of flying across hills, looking down at the trees swaying below you; the lilting vocals, heavenly ‘ohs’ and the pastille chorus evoking the loveliest indie records you can imagine.

Other highlights include ‘Dreamwaters’ skittering, wistful chorus and its chiming guitars and burbling keyboards while the dreamy synths and lustrous harmonies of ‘Alone Together’ (not a Strokes cover) make it the standout track.

The tracks’ words suggest what you’re going to get: ‘Waltz Away’, ‘A Sail Floats’ and ‘Dreamwaters’ – these are dreamy, nostalgic sketches of moments. The band’s sonic watercolours sweep across the canvas creating light shades, portraits of longing and melancholy. It can get too dreamy - and there’s some unnecessary bluster - but I suppose that comes with the territory.

But By The Sea’s debut wraps itself warmly around ears; the melodies and joyful playing help create windswept hymns which soak blissfully into your pores. Tinged with melancholy but flushed with gorgeous hope, this is an album of sunshine and rain. And we all know what that brings.