Heart

by Stars

Overview

Though very Momus (whom Stars count as a fan) circa Voyager, Heart is much more twee pop despite similar keyboards and electronics. Stars work with bittersweet grooves, sleepy singing, and analog gurgles -- which makes for a charming collection of electronic chamber pop. More New Order and Saint Etienne than Smiths, and with male and female vocals, the band comes across as an electro-pop Belle & Sebastian. Still, most of the songs lack the immediate hook of their folky counterparts. Stars songs tend to unfold more slowly, from the brilliant retro-futuristic "Death to Death" to the disco-lite Pet Shop Boys-styled "The Vanishing." Amy Millan's gorgeous voice is the group's greatest strength -- on the bouncy, propulsive "Elevator Love Letter," for example. It's not surprising that Millan has contributed to movie soundtracks -- the entire album would sit most comfortably as the decidedly outsider accompaniment to an appropriately indie "Romantic Comedy" (incidentally also the title of one of the record's most beautifully simple and sunny songs). ~ Charles Spano

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2024
Label:	Last Gang Records
UPC:	0634164406622
Rank:	26662

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stars   Primary Artist
Kevin Fox   Cello
Jennifer Walker   Violin
Eric Hove   Flute,Saxophone
James Shaw   Trumpet
George Donoso III   Drums
Evan Cranley   Guitar,Trombone,Guitar (Bass)
Amy Millan   Guitar,Vocals
Torquil Campbell   Vocals
Chris Seligman   Keyboards,French Horn
Leon Kingstone   Saxophone
Matthew Watkins   Trumpet
Dave Bennet   Theremin

Technical Credits

Ian Catt   Producer,Mixing,Additional Production
Pat McGee   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Performer,Group Member
Noah Mintz   Mastering
Lincoln Clarkes   Cover Photo,Photography
Louise Upperton   Design,Photography,Layout Design
David Hodge   Mixing
Geoff Wilson   Design,Layout Design
Jeffrey Remedios   Cover Photo
Ibolya Kaslik   Poetry,Liner Notes
Stars   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Evan Cranley   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Performer,Group Member
Amy Millan   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Performer,Group Member
Torquil Campbell   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Performer,Group Member
Chris Seligman   Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Performer,Programming,Group Member
Ed Zych   Assistant,Mixing Assistant