Up Pompeii!

REVEW: Cate Le Bon | Pompeii

Cate Le Bon’s new record offers space-age wonder and weirdness.

Her sixth album is a sublime synth gem which echoes the 1980s while pushing boundaries towards a great beyond.

This music seems to come from a galaxy far far away.

Despite its epic otherworldliness, Pompeii is boomerang catchy.

There’s astonishing melodies, glorious guitar riffs and keyboard accompaniments which sound like they were written north of Neptune.

The slow rhythmic rise of opener ‘Dirt On The Bed’ gives a hint of what’s to come.

There is a head-turning sound throughout ‘Pompeii’. It’s a record which seems to channel The Cure and Nile Rodgers from four decades ago, as improbable as this sounds.

First single ‘Moderation’ is possibly the most catchy tune the Carmarthenshire songwriter has ever created.

‘Harbour’ has a feel of Black’s 1986 hit ‘Wonderful Life’.  The melodies are devine. Why go long on lyrics when a one word chorus soars? Is this Cate Le Bon’s greatest song to date?

‘Running Away’ offers saxophonic sensation and along with ‘Remembering Me’ could be songs David Bowie wish he’d written for his 1993 ‘Black Tie White Noise’ album.

Pompeii is a majestic record.

Cate Le Bon is on tour in the UK next month.

Details and to order Pompeii here: www.catelebon.com