Lake Street Dive - Side Pony: retro ’70s soul with a steely edge and velvet touch

Picking up from their at times irresistible Bad Self-Portraits (2014), this Boston four-piece deliver another dose of deliciously retro blue-eyed '70s soul with a steely edge and a velvet touch.

Rachael Price’s hugely impressive voice, by times strong, sensitive, sultry and sarky, dominates all 12 tracks with an array of vocal styles occasionally redolent of Amy Winehouse.

Her cohorts are no less smart and able.

Bassist Bridget Kearney, guitarist Mike Olson and drummer Mike Calabrese enjoy the thrill of surprise, deftly playing with time signatures and settings.

Some songs (Hell Yeah, Can't Stop) are slight enough, while Nolan Sisters aficionados will swoon to Call Off Your Dogs.

A captivating elan pulses through all, especially the muscular Spectacular Failure and Mistakes, a ballad seeped in after-midnight regret.

Classy, fun and adventurous in equal measure.

[ lakestreetdive.com ]