8/10

Having already made their mark as individual artists in their own right over the years, Vlado Nosal and Boo Hewerdine came together to form Hotel Art last year, arriving with their breakthrough debut single 'Raised On Television'. Maintaining this rich and woozy appeal for their initial offerings, the band quickly became a force in Nosai's homeland Slovakia, where they received regular airplay for their first flurry of singles. And with the buzz around them continuing to grow, they have now given their debut album 'Elevator Music' an international release, spreading their wondrous aesthetic to the wider world.

Following in the footsteps of breezy indie-rock icons like Eels and The Shins, 'Elevator Music' has this incredibly warm and inviting texture to it. Describing their influences as "lift music, Doorman, Ernest Hemingway cocktails, salarymen", the band's eccentric nature has been injected across this entire LP, giving it a welcoming and succinct feel from start to finish. Always looking to deliver something truly immersive with every track, Hotel Art have perfectly captured the whimsical flow that many of their inspirations have become renowned for.

It has certainly been a productive time for them this past year, but 'Elevator Music' shows that this earlier praise and acclaim was no flash in the pan. Creating the perfect soundtrack for these ever-darkening winter nights, Hotel Art have kicked off their tenure with style and aplomb here.