Grovesnor - Soft Return

2010 solo album from Grovesnor AKA Rob Smoughton, drummer for Hot Chip. With a soft voice and an aching heart, Grovesnor-the troubadour who looks "like a teacher but sings like Usher"-makes the beats to move your feet. Grovesnor loves a good tune and a crisp rhythm. Although undeniably influenced by pop of the '80s, Grovesvenor's music has something supremely modern about it. There are echoes of Hall & Oates and Billy Joel, but also Daft Punk and the Flaming Lips. Soft Return is an audio movie where the surface sheen hides a bruised heart. Like the Coppola film One from the Heart, Grovesnor's songs are full of soft-focus imagery and fine performances. It's a unique blend of future Pop.