An Icelandic 7 piece with all the connections you would imagine; Hjaltalin are not perhaps what you may expect from the shores that brought you Mum, Sigur Ros et al. Terminal picks up where the critically lauded Sleepdrunk Sessions left off with a mix of sunny orchestral soul-pop.

These are classic soul arragements with a spring in their step but decorated with brass, strings and woodwind and with a glint in their eye that says they’re not afraid to spring a few surprises on the listener.

‘Sweet Impressions’ is an early high, as Hogni Egillson and Sigga coo in harmony “If you took the time to look at all the signs/you could rest your head/just know that all is fine” it’s a more than suitable soundtrack for the onset of summer.

It is certainly unusual to hear an icelandic band with vocalists so full of gusto rather than beautiful fragility; Egilsson coming on like a throatier Guy Gurvey while Sigga provides a more blustery counterpoint.

‘Song From Incidental Music’ though is dramatically different to the thumping soul drums that precede it and instead opens out into a brooding brass driven slow burner, full of menace and reminiscent of Scott Walker’s darker moments.

At times Terminal can be quite a genuinely disarming and unpredictable listen. For the most part this is a welcome form of eclecticism – ’7 Years’ is totally gorgeous and manages to channel some of those intrinsically Icelandic musical dynamics into something completely different; it never quite feels the need to erupt, instead choosing to simmer delicately with just about there backing harmonies.

Meanwhile ‘Hooked on Chili’ best manages to meld the feel good soul-isms with the darker, more sinister undertones that emerge as the record progresses but for all this good work there is the limp funk of ‘Water Poured In Wine’ to undo it.

There are Hints of God Help the Girl in the swooping strings and vocal contribution of co-vocalist Sigga – her booming, sometimes overbearing lead vocals drag whole arrangements into the realm of musical theatre. While Terminal is a challenging listen and certainly one which replays sunny listening conditions it sometimes falls down upon it being more intriguing than it is memorable. Nevertheless it’s a determinedly unique record and when it works it creates something pretty startling, you never know, in an album or two’s time they might create something really special.