Hooverphonic's 1998 album brings Belgian dream pop to vinyl

One Belgian band is seeing a resurgence in vinyl sales this fall as listeners seek out the 1998 album Blue Wonder Power Milk. The record serves as the first release to feature vocalist Geike Arnaert, marking a distinct shift in Hooverphonic's musical direction.

The album opens with Battersea, a track that blends a slow orchestral intro with a breakbeat rhythm. This combination creates a mellow yet danceable sound. On the subsequent track, Dictionary, songwriter Alex Callier layers deep vocals over pulsating synths. While the style recalls Depeche Mode, the song maintains the cohesive tone of the rest of the record.

Arnaert and Callier perform the duet Eden, which focuses on a couple who struggle to understand each other. The string arrangement following the chorus carries much of the song's emotional weight. The group continues this pattern on Out of Tune, mixing mellow compositions with bouncy rhythm sections.

A cover of Dave Berry's This Strange Effect appears later on the album. The band translates the original twangy guitar riff into their signature string-heavy sound. Arnaert sings an octave higher than the original artist, adding a layer of vulnerability to the lyrics about romance.

The title track suggests the album name is a metaphor for distractions from reality. The record pushes the group's original trip hop sound into something more distinctive. It remains a favorite for those who enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the genre during colder months.