Module: Remarkable Engines

Herald rating: ****

We do vibes on a summer's day music pretty well in New Zealand. Sadly, some of it falls into the easy listening, background, or even, ad soundtrack music category.

This debut from Wellington musician Module (real name Jeramiah Ross) does have a song from an ad on it, but Remarkable Engines is background music that refuses to be ineffectual and is stimulating and clever enough to make an impression.

Mangapower harks back to the slow, strobing glory days of the Orb in the 90s, while I Neva Dared has an underlying Bob Marley skank to it that makes it more than just a beautiful song. It's these added qualities that make it a summer album must, and a great listen, rather than just a soundtrack to relax to. It is predominantly instrumental but Emma Paki and Jess Chambers sing, and Gramsci's Paul McLaney adds his shimmering voice to Love and Not the Lesson, a tune that recalls 80's hit Fade To Grey by Visage.

It comes with a seven-track bonus disc of piano pieces, including the adorably romantic Oh Fair Moonlight, and let's just say Module plays a mean piano too.

Label: Loop