Allo Darlin'

The second single from Allo Darlin's superb second album is none other than the title track, "Europe." The London-based four-piece — led by Australian songbird Elizabeth Morris, with guitarist Paul Rains, Bill Botting on the bass and Michael Collins on drums — create perfect, sophisticated pop gems and know how to put on a joyous, effervescent, fun-filled live show, and their recent US tour was a roaring success. Europe the album has been one of the pop gems of 2012, garnering excellent reviews everywhere from Pitchfork to NME.

Achingly personal, incredibly poignant and familiar all at once, Elizabeth Morris' songwriting has deepened and developed since their 2009 debut, although they'e lost none of their ability to create sophisticated, intelligent pop music with an uplifting, joyous feel. Elizabeth describes what "Europe" the song is about - "About a year ago I wasn't sure how much longer I'd be able to live in the UK, because my visa was running out and I was running out of options. I've lived here for most of my adult life. I started thinking about what I'd lose if I went home, and what I'd gain. What memories I'd take with me if I left." Oddly though the song also turned out to be a remarkably prescient celebration of the togetherness that pulled the band through a disastrous tour of the continent last year, when noxious fumes in their tour van nearly put paid to them altogether. The B-side is an alternative version of the song "Some People Say", recording during the mostly abandoned original album recording sessions in Manchester. It's a slower version than the album version, and is quite beautiful.

Having built up an intensely loyal and ever-increasing fanbase, Allo Darlin's reputation has developed at its own pace, from just one girl strumming a ukulele to headlining London's Scala and touring all over the world. In their brief lifetime they have toured the USA four times, sold out tours across the UK and embarked on an epic five-week European tour. The band have been strongly supported by BBC 6music, recording several sessions including one at the BBC's prestigious Maida Vale Studios as Steve Lamacq's personal choice for BBC Introducing. Their self-titled debut was released to universal acclaim with plaudits including being named No. 2 record of the year by online retailer eMusic and a glowing 1,200 word essay by legendary Go-Between Mr. Robert Forster in the Australian critical magazine The Monthly.

Gloriously catchy, brilliantly uplifting and charmingly intelligent, Europe is one of the most exciting albums of the year, with Allo Darlin' pleasing their existing loyal fanbase as well as winning over hoards of new admirers. The album is continued proof that Allo Darlin' are one of THE bands to watch out for in 2012. Following the release of this single, they'll be playing some UK shows, and are also confirmed as one of the headliners on the Slumberland stage at the Indietracks Festival in July.