Alfie Templeman - Forever Isn't Long Enough

You know those rocket rainbow lollies you get? That's what this sounds like. The perfect mix of sugary pop, vibrant colours and enough crunch and substance to make sure it lasts ten times longer than your average lolly. Described as a 'mini-album', 'Forever Isn't Long Enough' still contains more bops and pop explorations than most so-called 'proper' albums. If this is Alfie exploring where he wants to go next, then we're in for one hell of a ride.

From the first moments of 'Shady' on, it almost feels effortless (though it's obviously not). It's the sound of summer, festivals, tents flapping in the air, all the good things. But there's more to it than just having a good time, it's the soundtrack to finding yourself and working life out too. Out of the new tracks,' Hideaway' is, despite its name, a real eye-opener, while 'Wait, I Lied' struts in and threatens to steal the whole show. Chuck in a cheeky saxophone solo on 'Film Scene Daydream', a track that might bathe in the same familiarly 1980's-y glow that might be prevalent EVERYWHERE right now but still doesn't sound anything other than new and exciting here, and we're sold. And that's before we reach the swoozy woozy closer of a collab with April, the trip-hop-meets-bedroom-pop 'One More Day', a deliciously dreamy finale to the best half hour we've had all year.

If this is a 'mini' album, then just think what we've got to look forward to when the full-length arrives. Lords above. It's genuinely exciting to see the progression every time, the new ideas forming and coalescing into a real Pop Sensation In The Making. The first proper summer in two years is on the horizon, and one of its soundtracks is already here. Enjoy.