Now I wouldn’t consider myself an expert on American geography, but I’m pretty sure Point Juncture, WA, is not the same place as Portland, OR, which is where this peculiarly-named band actually come from. Still, that minor confusion swept aside, ‘Heart To Elk’ is their new album, and it seems to be mostly focused on the ‘modern classics’.

The first urgent tug on your sleeve listening to this album is the intelligence of the music, layer after layer come cascading into your ears, and it’s a very pleasurable experience. ‘Once Tasted Ever Wanted’ features a backdrop of weird drum rhythms and tinkling percussion and dreamy vocals, while ‘The Easy Winners’ has a male vocal, wooden-sounding electronic taps and odd bubbling noises that sound like the tar pits from Captain Caveman. It’s all a bit strange, but really, REALLY easy to listen to and enjoy.

The whole package, including my personal favourite song ‘Melon Bird’ (a more indie-pop track with a soundscape that could only be described as ‘natural sci-fi’ – strange cascades and beeps that sound like they’ve been made by steel drums in a forest clearing) is very engaging but also relaxing, and a graceful leap forward for Point Juncture, WA. This band have, with this album, taken the hippies at Woodstock (complete with organic tobacco) and given them a full techno-package BMW 7-series to play with. And by the sound of it, they’ve taken a liking to the gentle massage seats.