Cerulean retains the glossy, thoroughly pretty ultra-pop feel of
Ocean Blue's self-titled debut, but ends up showcasing some of the band's dreamier elements as well. The album comes across as a polished-over combination of
the Housemartins and
the Cocteau Twins, and it's certainly the most textured and dreamy of the group's releases. Given the band's strict adherence to completely melodic pop, though, that doesn't say a whole lot -- their smooth and pretty songs shine through everything they've done, and to say that
Cerulean is less immediately accessible than
Beneath the Rhythm & Sound only means that its production is a bit more sparkly and washed out.
Ocean Blue are, in many respects, masters of soft, gentle pop, and
Cerulean does nothing to stray from this skill. ~ Nitsuh Abebe