Armchair Oracles – Caught By Light

Norway’s “quartet of the moment” know their way around classic guitar pop as evidenced by 2016’s In Machina. With Caught By Light, Armchair Oracles’ third LP finds the band in similar territory, giving us 10 memorable melodic ballads with pinpoint harmonies and guitar jangle to spare.

Equal parts Beatles and Big Star, both “Porcelain Heart” and “She Gets Me High” are so catchy that you’ll swear you’ve heard them somewhere before. With a monster hook of a chorus, the latter is one of my favorite singles of the year thus far.

While they’ve mastered the classic power pop sound, these guys are much more than one trick ponies. The more muscular “Might Be Wrong” is a nice change-up from prior tunes while “Silver Nights” gives us a more eastern influenced sound. Atle Skogrand’s vocals are superb throughout without a hint of an accent.

All in all, Armchair Oracles’ Caught By Light is one fine album. Another excellent Kool Kat release, you can order the physical CD product from label’s website. For digital format, see the band’s Bandcamp page. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.