Depending on how insular your musical tastes run, the first strains of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci's latest album could inspire reflections upon the Delgados, Elliott Smith, and a host of Elephant 6 bands--or T. Rex, the Beatles, and Electric Light Orchestra. The Welsh band's seventh album, How I Long to Feel that Summer in my Heart, is dreamy, orchestral pop with a folky feel to it. That's certainly nothing new these days, among the nostalgic-leaning pop scene, but it's no less lovely despite the prevalence of the sound. It's easy to want to be sick of this long-bourgeoning underground genre, but the truth is it's all so damn pretty that it's impossible to turn your back to it.

It's no wonder that Gorky's Zygotic Mynci's charm is so far-reaching. Sons and daughters of upper-middle-class poets, politicians, and a host of quixotic others, the founding members of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci began playing together nearly two decades ago, when all were students in Carmarthen, Wales. The band used its connections to propel itself into the local music scene, finding quick popularity that resulted in TV appearances, festival dates, and a hit album on the U.K.'s independent charts. Three American-released albums showcased the quintet's versatile sound, and drew comparisons with Renaissance compositions and mountain music as well as the Velvet Underground. Last year's The Blue Trees featured acoustic material culled from live shows.

As with all good pop featuring strings and keyboards in addition to the usual guitar-bass-drum setup, How I Long to Feel that Summer in my Heart dazzles with radiant freshness in spite of its obvious ties to the past. What singer Euros Childs lacks in lyrical ability (not retarded, just simple and breezy lines) the band makes up for in whimsy and odd placement of instrumental punch. Gorky's Zygotic Mynci distinguishes itself among an increasingly crowded genre by maintaining an element of sweet, charming surprise.