The Great Escape

Using indie pop as their base, The Great Escape pull parts from classic 60s rock n roll, old Parisian vaudeville, reggae, and Motown with a banjo tossed in at random for good measure. This is all mashed together and delivered with sheer enthusiasm and vigour giving you a soundtrack for life's wild sun-kissed moments. The bright music of Kristian Nord and Malte Hagemeister serves to lift up the adorable/sexy voice and attitude of front woman, Ingrid Andersson who sews together The Great Escape's wide range and makes it flow into a cohesive piece. Her voice fills a similar niche to that of contemporary Elle King. Their second album Universe In Bloom is a richly produced piece of hooky indie pop goodness.

Guitarist Malte Hagemeister must have serious love for The Beatles' 'Day Tripper'. The opening riff of 'Let Me Go Wild' bares more than a passing similarity to Lennon's iconic intro but with a Venice Beach kick thrown in to turn it on its ear. The drum and voice verse pumps with energy as Andersson whips into a frenzy. Hard horn hits and a rippin' solo crank up this rock n roll party anthem.

'I Can't Resist' throbs with beefy bass and slammin' half-time drums. Good time horns speak in vibrant outbursts. 'All You Got is Gold's shining acoustics with Andersson's wistful tone feel like something out of Laurel Canyon's early seventies heyday. Perhaps a renaissance. 'Sugar Sugar' fully takes advantage of Andersson cute jazzy voice over a ragtime tinged bouncy number.

For the darker side of the album, 'The World Ain't What It Used to Be' and 'All or Nothing' let Andersson break from her cute persona and relay in a more ominous tone. The former plays over a steady march beat while tense strings cinch up the tension before exploding out into a grandiose chorus that plays out the world as a mad circus. 'All or Nothing' grinds over slide acoustic and sharp wailing guitar that Jack White has made his calling card while Andersson wails like Allison Mosshart in White's dark southern project The Dead Weather.

The Great Escape have managed to make a wonderfully diverse indie pop record that still feels cohesive and genuine. A great record to kick up your heels and let loose to.