Bell X1, Chop Chop (Belly Up Records)

What's surprising about this Dublin band's sixth album is that they've created a wholly original sound without resorting to samples or other electronic gadgetry.

Largely by just using piano, drums and bass, but avoiding a clichéd approach to these instruments, they've produce something as fresh as a summer storm. Worth it alone for the line "The operator says our call is important" liltingly delivered, as if to a lost love. Funny, sad, perfect.