Melodi

Having already crafted an album that basically perfected their take on vintage psychedelia via France and Turkey with Mantra Moderne, the duo behind Kit Sebastian set out to cast their net a little wider sonically. The band's chief architect Kit Martin delves into a wider range of instruments on Melodi in pursuit of a richer, more diverse setting. Adding zithers, congas, harpsichords, balalaika, and more to the mix on top of synthesizers, horn sections, and orchestras, the album is even more highly arranged than their debut. Every inch of space is used to create a well-burnished web of sound that vocalist Merve Erdem soars over like a daring aerialist. Martin's musical tricks and treats are impressive, but without the zing of Erdem's voice, it would be a hollow victory. She adds just the right amount of heart to the breezy tracks like "Yeter," that slink past like a vixen in a '60s spy film, delves deep into the moodiness of songs like the psychedelic soul-inspired "Agitate," and swing