The Shortwave Set: Danger Mouse, Van Dyke, Cale

The Shortwave Set Replica Sun Machine Available Now

The Shortwave Set

Sweet of sound, tart of lyric… besotted with the sun speckled ’60s and bang up to date – Q [4/5]

The Shortwave Set traveled from South East London to California on borrowed air miles, self-belief and the ton of goodwill (generated by their much-loved debut The Debt Collection) to record their self-financed second album with Danger Mouse. There they availed themselves of the string arranging talents of the legendary Van Dyke Parks (Beach Boys legendary collaborator on Smile) and the distinctive viola playing of John Cale (Velvet Underground).

They returned bearing Replica Sun Machine (released March 24 on Wall of Sound Records) – a psychedelic pop adventure where acid-bright sunshine casts eerie shadows and illuminates uncomfortable truths. It’s an impossible-to-get-out-of-your-head trip, like a European Flaming Lips inspired by the baroque pop of the Left Banke, the cinematic scope of Serge Gainsbourg and the discomforting drama of Nico’s solo albums.

Replica Sun Machine Track List
1. Harmonia
2. Glitches N Bugs
3. Replica
4. House Of Lies
5. Now Till ’69
6. Distant Daze
7. No Social
8. Yesterdays To Come
9. I Know
10. Sun Machine
11. The Downer Song