Noir (born Alan Roberts) sings a ‘60s inspired pop, meaning he likes melody and harmony. The UK songwriter fuses this with primitive electronic elements, meaning he sometimes uses cheap keyboards and robotic drum machines. He writes lyrics that express childlike whimsy, meaning he can be humorous or precious. Put together it draws comparisons to Brian Wilson, meaning critics know if they write East River Pipe, Badly Drawn Boy, Yum-Yum or other small-time auteurs most people will have no point of reference to better understand this quirky pop. Such is life for a young 24 year old musician who records at home and would have felt more at home in 1966 than 2006. The most affecting moments on this debut album – a collection of his early EPs – are the quiet dreamlike moments (Try “I Me You I’m Your” and “How to Be So Real,” for starters) where Noir sounds as if he’s channeling an AM Radio that existed many years before his birth. Meaning he may not be an original ‘60s rocker, but he’s an incredible re-incarnation.