Each week, I go through new releases and add the ones that speak to me to a review pile I draw from later. So far this year, it’s been steadily growing, with an eclectic mix of artists. When I finally sit down to write, what I choose often depends on how I’m feeling.

This morning, my mood was a bit flat. I skimmed through the list, hoping something would jump out and I love it when it does. Today, that was Bermuda Search Party.

The opening track, "Symptoms", is very much an introduction, running just under 90 seconds. In that time, it still manages to kind of reel me in. The track feels a little surreal, driven by a synth beat and a vocal narrative detailing the symptoms of life, before concluding that if you have them, "Good luck".

The next track, "SIDE EFFECT", leans more toward traditional pop, but it has a wonderful backing track, again synth-driven with a distinctive drum beat. The vocals are light and breezy, and just the right antidote for a slow, grey morning.

The upbeat energy continues with "BETTER LoVE" and you know it’s hitting all the right spots when you realise you’re bobbing your head and tapping your feet as the song unfolds. The music is in a similar vein to the previous track, but that’s very welcome and helps elevate the mood of even the most down at heart.

"cookies n cream" goes off in a different direction, but one that still fits oh so well, this time featuring lead female vocals and prominent acoustic guitar. It’s a folksy, fairly upbeat track with a sad undertone of unrequited love. I have to admit, I was enjoying it so much the first time around that I didn’t really pay attention to the lyrics, thinking it was just a nice, happy song. But on a second listen, the words hit much harder. Sad, but beautiful.

I love the eternal optimism of "Float On", a laid-back track about taking the hits life sometimes serves and just rolling with them, trusting that something good will eventually come along to balance out the sadness. I especially liked when the lead male vocal was joined by the female vocalist, as it added an interesting new dynamic and actually reminded me of another indie darling, Mother Mother. Such a great track.

And then comes the title track, "SIDETRACK’D", which is in a similar vein to the opener, not only in its runtime of just over 100 seconds, but also in its content, with a synth underpinning, ambient sound, and spoken narrative. It’s perhaps a curious addition, but overall, it just works. I do have to admit, I found myself smiling when it ended with "Live long and prosper". What can I say, once a Trekkie, always a Trekkie.

The final track, "JASON", is an interesting one. It feels like a deviation from the rest, but not in a bad way, more an intriguing new direction. It features a prominent brass section, which gives it a throwback 80s feel, echoing the new romantic scene, something I remember first hand. I was in no way a new romantic, maybe just a hopeful one, much like the track’s protagonist. The track close out the album with a flourish.

While relatively short at just seven tracks, even the two I noted add weight to the album. After all, it was the opening track that first snagged my attention. This is an album I’ll be playing for a while yet, and I’m already eagerly anticipating their next release.