Ways to ForgetMoshi Moshi/Island ***

Those who've watched Clock Opera's slow, steady build over the last few years will not be surprised at what Ways To Forget has to offer. It's to Guy Connelly and cohorts' credit that their beautifully cast, bespoke indie-pop can create a bridge between tunes which sound right on the radio and tracks which are skilfully layered with subtle, shimmering twists and turns. You can pin this on Connelly's meticulous way with effects, textures and samples, but it's also down to how the group's melodic swing fits into a current fondness for slightly off-kilter sonic patterns in otherwise straight-ahead pop songs. After all, Connelly isn't the only modern-day pop practitioner in thrall to those old Talk Talk records. Nevertheless, tracks such as Once and For All, A Piece of String and Man Made twinkle with aplomb, if not a little overcooked bombast at times. clockopera.com

Download tracks: A Piece of String, Man Made