Cake On Cake

If the name Cake On Cake seems a bit cute, whimsical and even a tad twee, well, that means it’s appropriate. Hiding behind the delicious moniker is Helena Sundin from Stockholm, Sweden. Treading the same musical territory of fellow countrywomen El Perro Del Mar and Frida Hyvonen, Cake On Cake melds her delicate, breathy voice with simple throwback instrumentation. "The Box” swoons with strings, xylophone and layered vocals, while "Missing the Snow” has a dreamy Beach House vibe. Sundin plays the majority of the instruments herself and there’s a definite insular streak, as the Swedish pop is there but Sundin seems embarrassed to make it as pronounced as it should be. Keeping the payoff elusive sometimes works but after a while the songs all meld together and the whole album gets frustrating. Thick with syrupy emotion and heart firmly on sleeve, Hymns is a shy charmer that could have blossomed with a little more passion.