2011: A Space Odyssey

The liner notes of this debut album say that the release is a tribute to the ‘musicians of Cambodia's Golden Era [1960-1975]… the golden voices of Ros Sereysothea, Sin Sisamouth, Pan Ron.’ The album mirrors the Phnom Penh-based outfit's lively shows of classic Cambodian pop covers. Based around the edgy and sometimes psychedelic guitar of leader Julien Poulson, the nasally sweet voice of singer Srey Thy and Bong Sak's crisp drumming, the Project have taken, in contrast to LA-based Dengue Fever, a more indie-rock route to Cambodian pop.

The opening track, ‘Snaeha Doc Toek Kmom’ (Love Like Honey) blasts off with driving guitars and Thy's high-pitched voice, and it is followed by a standout, ‘Chom 10 Kae Theav’ (Wait 10 Months More), which features funky trou (Khmer fiddle) riffs, hard rock guitar, Breton accordion and harmonica. On the pogo-inducing ‘Pros Kangaroo’ (Kangaroo Boy), Thy takes a Sereysothea song and turns it inside out, in the process creating a new and catchy number that is likely to become the band's anthem. She also shows off her ability as a songwriter with the funny and moving ‘Mean Visa Kmean Bai’ (Have Visa, No Have Rice) and great pipes on the only traditional song here, ‘Tek Tum’ (Big Water), which features some lovely interplay between singer and the trou fiddle. A very accomplished debut from Cambodia's only international rock band.