We’re very fond of The Books here at FACT; indeed, their  2003 album The Lemon Of Pink was ranked as one of our top albums of the last decade.

New LP The Way Out is a little less erratic and collagistic than Lemon and 2005’s Lost And Safe, but the playful, mischievous spirit of Nick Zammuto and Paul De Jong is still very much intact and all-pervading. Furthermore, their estimable melodic gift is more refined than ever – try not to be bowled over by the crushed velvet harmonies and easy-worn lyrical sophistication of ‘Beautiful People’, one of the highlights of The Way Out, and today’s must-check Daily Download.

The Way Out is released on July 20 via Temporary Residence; The Books have European live dates lined up in Berlin (Hau 1, May 24), Leipzig (Central Theater, May 25), Barcelona (ATP @ Primavera, May 28) and Milan (Audiovisiva, May 28).

Download: The Books – Beautiful People
(Available for seven days)