Where the Heaven Are We

Audio Mixer: Charlie Hugall.Recording information: 123 Studios; Dreamtrak Studios; ICP Studios; The Pool, London.Photographer: Swim Deep.It could easily be said that the debut album from British four-piece Swim Deep is a retro-centric slab of melodic dream pop that recalls the best of the genre. Indeed, the blissed-out ghosts of such late-'80s/early-`90s bands as House of Love, Ride, and even the Stone Roses hover over most of Swim Deep's 2013 full-length Where in the Heaven Are We. Centered around lead singer/guitarist Austin Williams, the four-piece, who formed in Birmingham in 2011, have crafted a handful of utterly infectious indie pop cuts here. The songs bear all the hallmarks of albums released on labels like Creation, Factory, and Sire in the '80s and '90s. These are bass-heavy tunes layered with chiming, heavily effected guitars, synths, and light, dance-oriented drum beats, all of which eloquently frame Williams' yearning vocals and poetic lyrics. The members of Swim Deep wer