COASTLINES Vinyl & CDs

Review: While it's a cliche to describe Balearic-minded releases as being "sun-soaked" and "sunset-ready", they're both descriptors that accurately reflect the gorgeously warm, melodious and laidback sound of Japanese outfit Coastlines. Their second self-titled album is every bit as inspired as its predecessor and offers a range of tracks built around layered, intricate instrumentation, gently shuffling rhythms and vivid daydreams about beachside walks in sunnier climes. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the Andreas Vollenweider-inspired slo-mo Latin shuffle of 'Tenderly', the blazed deep jazz-funk of 'Alicia', the piano-laden early morning wonder of 'Night Cruise' and the squelchy future boogie of 'Sky Island'. In a word: sumptuous!

Review: Last year long time Flower Records associates Masanori Ikeda and Takumi Kanedo (best known for his work as part of Cro-Magnon) released their debut album as Coastlines, a stunningly sunny, laidback affair that touched on everything from nu-jazz and nu-disco to dub, Latin rhythms and Balearic beats. Here they offer up a fresh double-header on a must-check 7" single. A-side "East Coast" is particularly alluring, with the duo joining the dots between Nils Frahm piano pieces, gentle nu-jazz grooves and wide-eyed Balearic ambience. The synths come to the fore on flipside "West Coast", an arguably even sunnier affair with slo-mo Latin beats, mazy solos and glistening guitars to the fore.