So Long, See You Tomorrow

Bombay Bicycle Club's fourth studio album, 2014's So Long, See You Tomorrow, finds the band building upon the dance-oriented sound of 2011's A Different Kind of Fix while still remaining faithful to their melodic, introspective indie rock roots. Once again centered around the lead vocals of Jack Steadman, the album was purportedly written while Steadman was traveling through Europe and India, and many of the songs on So Long, See You Tomorrow contain samples of the various sounds, music, and rhythms Steadman encountered on his trip. And while there are definitely Bollywood-esque qualities here, especially on such songs as the hypnotic and driving "Overdone" and the equally as swirling "Carry Me," the results are never overt or heavy-handed. These are organic, living productions that touch upon rave culture and world music while remaining rooted in melodic songcraft. The album also features guest lead and harmony vocals from British singer/songwriters and rising pop divas Lucy Rose and Rae Morris. All of this stylistic and creative synergy lends the album a layered, late-'80s adult contemporary vibe. In fact, cuts like the sparkling "Luna" and the yearning "Home by Now" definitely bring to mind So-era Peter Gabriel. Similarly, the moving ballad "Eyes Off You" has sustained drama that recalls Gabriel's classic 1986 duet with Kate Bush, "Don't Give Up." Ultimately, So Long, See You Tomorrow is highly engaging, thoughtful, kaleidoscopic pop music for citizens of the world. ~ Matt Collar