If you were to personifyDublin quartet Skelocrats, they would be that relative that gets a little bit tipsy at family events and insists that everybody gets up and dances with them.  The (sort of) sophomore release from  Skelocrats, ‘Bella Bella’, is one that truly shows them off as a band and illustrates the musical diversity and talent that they possesses.

Opening with the 80’s vibe filled Zirconium Heart, you know from the get-go that this is the kind of album you’ll revisit on a regular basis. It’s track that bursts with energy almost effortlessly. It’s twinged with an airy 80’s vibe that makes it so likeable even on the first listen.

Permanent House Painter features a chorus that yearns to be sang along to while Lyin’ Eyes contains enough sweetness to make you diabetic. Bronwyn Murphy-White’s dreamy vocals couple with some very well-written guitar to deliver a song that is a real treat for the ears.

Doing The Cuckoo is a track with buckets of danceability that completely takes you aback after the gentle loveliness of the previous song. This writer may not know what the cuckoo is, but now certainly wants to do it. There’s something about the rhythmic bassline and lush vocals that just makes you want to groove around regardless of your situation. This will surely be a live favourite.

Skelocrats are an immensely likeable band. Their indie pop sees glimpses of other styles like on the pop punky Tennis Aberration or the rock ballady  You Can’t Be My Doggy Anymore but one thing is clear – there is so much potential here for Skelocrats and for ‘Bella Bella’ to be one of the best Irish albums of 2015.