The fine indiepop-label Shelflife Records will release the debut album from Burning Hearts on February 10, 2009, and this is a release I have been waiting for with great expectations. The duo behind Burning Hearts are Cats on Fire drummer and multi-instrumentalist Henry Ojala, and Le Futur Pompiste singer Jessika Rapo, – two key members from two brilliant bands.

“Aboa Sleeping” is the title, and it comes with a brilliant cover art and 9 wonderful pop songs. The melodies and harmonies are fantastic, but the arrangements on some songs really blows me away. I am a huge fan of indie-pop, but I must admit that clever arrangements are rarely the genres strongest side. Melodies, harmonies and sometimes a whole lot of charm, yes, but arrangements, well, not always. On Aboa Sleeping, I’m loving the melodies, the harmonies, the charm, AND I’m also loving the way they have arranged the songs. Songs like “The gallopping horse”, which contain really clever rhythm elements that you need headphones to hear properly, – the almost Bowie-like “We walked among the trees” and the Stereolab-esque “Sea Birds” are only a few examples on songs that makes this album stand out among other releases in the genre. Clever, creative and most important- really beautiful to listen to.

Jessika has definitely taken parts of the Le Futur Pompiste sound with her, and the Cats on Fire-sound may also be recognized, but at the same time, – this is something very different than both of those bands.

It’s a bit early to announce “album of the year” yet, but 2009 will be an impressive year of music if this album won’t be among my top 5 this year.

Here’s a taster for you:

Burning Hearts – I lost my color vision

The album is already now available on an exclusive presale at shelflife.com, and you know what to do!