New Jersey natives, Real Estate are back with their second album, the simply titled Days, an album of chilled out brilliance. The whole album has a wonderful ethereal quality, it shimmers and sparkles; like the ocean catching the summer sun. It’s an incredibly consistent and concise album, checking in at just over 40 minutes. The band haven’t meddled with their sound too much, rather taking their style from the debut and honing and sharpening it; and as such have produced one of the best albums of the year, just in time for summer.

Days is a very idyllic and cheerful album. The whole tone of the album is upbeat and carefree, full of delicious little pop hooks. The whole thing sounds so effortless and carefree, each track drifts seamlessly into the next. There is a sense the album is harkening back to simpler and more innocent times. For one there are of course the rather obvious surf rock influences pulling the listener back to the music of the sixties and seventies. Also despite this there it also brings up memories of childhood summers, of trips to the beach and the freedom that came with the holidays.

Despite its coherence and consistency there are a few standout tracks on the album, ones that will be played over and over. "It’s Real" the first single, is one such track. It’s undeniably catchy, with shimmering guitars and flitting vocals and beautiful harmonies. Lyrically it has a wonderful simplicity, it’s dealing with love and relationships is both innocent and touching. Another favourite of mine is the track "Kinder Blumen" which follows on from It’s Real; it’s ostensibly a instrumental, with each separate part building upon each other, creating a beautiful symphony of jangling guitars. These are of course not the only great songs on the album; all of the tracks are of such a consistent high quality, that it was incredibly difficult and perhaps criminal to only mention these two.

Days by Real Estate, is quite simply a triumph. It’s not catchy but consistently so. And whilst its concise it is an album that you’ll surely find yourself returning to over and over again, I know I certainly will be. It is the kind of album that will have a broad appeal and if there’s any justice get a fair bit of radio play. But I can happily say that I have found a stellar addition to my summer soundtrack.

9/10