In need of a hug

More laidback heartache from Summer Thieves and Violet Hirst’s emotional debut.

- GRAHAM REID

CIGARETTES IN SPACE

by Summer Thieves
For this month's Going Global Music Summit in Auckland, which showcases 21 local artists, Summer Thieves have been described as "alternative, surf rock". However, the evidence of this third album shows the band are firmly in the mainstream of that laidback sound that summer festival audiences soak up, with just enough reggae, funk and languidly stoned rap along the lines of lukewarm Arrested Development or De La Soul.

Nothing on Cigarettes in Space approaches "rock" as most understand it. But there's a gestural bromide on Pieces: "Now that you're gone I wrote these lyrics on my phone... I still remember us talking about the Rolling Stones".