Cinema Lumiere

Although this is the debut album by Manila-based quintet Cinema Lumiere, they already feel like old friends, considering that they have been drip-feeding us a whole host of singles since the brilliant Dreamcatcher EP for nearly five years now. Wishing It Was Sunday is a superb testimony of how their ability to seamlessly link their beautiful, jangly dream-pop core to various musical nuances. As a result, the title track, Cotton Candy Clouds and Like A Dream fuses Mary Yeung’s luscious made-for-indie-pop vocals with a twee-meets-sophisti-pop vibe that assumes an 80s anglophile connection. In the meantime, Write Your Name in the Sky, Into the Sun, Smile, and Act Happy embody a contemporary dream-pop style, incorporating subtle elements of gaze into the production to accentuate each exquisite, perfectly coiffured note. Meanwhile, “Longing for You” and “Change of Heart” intensify the gaze to the ideal degree, serving as a supportive element for each note. We all knew Cinema Lumiere would deliver something special with their debut full-length release, and Wishing It Was Sunday surpasses our expectations in numerous ways.