*** Chicane

BEHIND THE SUN

(Columbia)

Nick Bracegirdle, who records as Chicane, here follows up the convincing Eurodisco dreampop of Far from the Maddening Crowds, his rst, with a 10-track CD that’s even more persuasive and idyllic. Soft distant female voices, gossamer orchestrations, light soprano melodies, and a gentle and light — but deep — beat combine to make Eurodisco dreampop what it is, and all of these components contribute to Chicane’s nighttime optimism. Here you’ll taste the light deep beat of “Saltwater” (in two different versions), the delicate voice magic of “Low Sun” and “Halcyon” (strong echoes here of DJ Dado’s Italian Europop hit “Give Me Love”), the sentimental orchestral landscaping of “No Ordinary Morning” and “Autumn Tactics.” And, in all 10 cuts, the otherworldly obsessiveness of voice, orchestration, and beat moving at an energetic 136 BPM that dancers can’t get enough of — here done up with a breezy touch that both whispers in your ear and streaks past your eye.

— Michael Freedberg