How to Dress Well: What is This Heart? review – a soundtrack to heartbreak and general misery

Tom Krell may not be the happiest chap. A glance at the artwork for his third How to Dress Well album, which sees his face set in a glum, faraway expression, reveals as much. It seems fitting, then, that almost every track on this hipster R&B album sounds slick with tears, as Krell sighs, coos and reminisces with keen abandon. It feels ready to join Lykke Li and Lana Del Rey's recent releases as a soundtrack to heartbreak and general misery. Luckily, Krell's falsetto-heavy tunes fit the bill. Though his voice can sound a little insipid, songs such as A Power, Face Again and What You Wanted possess satisfying bass rumbles and earworm hooks. Hints of Twin Shadow's retro-pop, Active Child's warm synth pads and Animal Collective's euphoric psychedelic pop appear, showing growth and experimental bravery. Chin up, then.