Electric Penguins – II (Vinyl)

The second album from Dublin's alt-ambient explorers, released in 2010 on the back of a mutual love of Kraftwerk, David Lynch, vintage instruments and 70s electro. Formed as a trio and slimmed to the duo of Mark Cummins and Paul Murphy, Electric Penguins built II from moogs, mellotrons, vocoders, deeply layered strings and naked pianos, twelve tracks sliding dreamily between electronica, folk, ambient and psychedelia.

Lead single Highgate Hill, a folksy love song to London, was named track of the year by BBC Radio London's Robert Elms, while the kraut-club pairing of Airships Fly Over Beaches With Godetias and Soundproof 45 shows the club-facing end of their range. The album landed in Dan Hegarty's top ten of 2010 and drew airplay from Tom Dunne and Paul McLoone, and its double vinyl edition has become a quiet collector's item, with the band only resurfacing fifteen years later for the follow-up.