- UK's Cat’s Eyes are poised to drop their second album Treasure House. Formed by Faris Badwan (of The Horrors) and girlfriend Rachel Zeffira, the group unifies the saccharine sounds of the '60s with symphonic style. Their new album expands upon the vibes they scoped out on their self-titled debut, released in 2011. Not incidentally, in the time since their debut the duo also recorded the soundtrack to The Duke of Burgundy last year.

Their film scoring experience has left an indelible effect on the overall sound of the new album. It feels cinematic, with complex arrangements and an array of elaborate acoustic instrumentation. This is evident from the get-go, the title track opens the album with harp flourishes and delicate pizzicato guitar.

Be Careful Where You Park Your Car appears to be s straightforward song in the vein of '60's girl-group fodder. But once the surf guitar crashes down and the operatic vocals float by, there’s something altogether sinister about the track, Zeffira’s words bringing stinging conviction.

Another single of the album Chameleon Queens hits you with pounding piano chords and soaring vocals, reminiscent of Procol Harum or Spector’s version of Let It Be. The opening boom-boom-clap of the The Missing Hour instantly reminds one of The Ronettes' Be My Baby. After the opening that’s where the comparison ends – it’s far more psychedelic, oboe and all.

For their first proper album in five years, Cat’s Eye has followed up their debut with flair. The entirety of Treasure House is dramatic and sumptuous, simultaneously evoking the likes of Ennio Morricone, John Barry and Joe Meek. The use of orchestration is nothing less than masterful, making full use of it across a range of tracks that vacillate between pop, rock and film music. It’s both accessible and experimental, like some of the girl-groups they draw inspiration from. Cat's Eyes have successfully built upon their debut, using the experience of film scoring to take their sound up a notch. Chamber pop is for dilettantes, this is sterling symphonic pop.

- Hill Folk.