The sunlit beach contrasts with the dark blue water and stormy clouds. Am I dreaming, or is this a cosmic trip I’ve planned for weeks?

Either way, there’s a conch shell in front of me, and I can’t stop my hand from reaching down to pick it up. My arm brings the shell to my ear, and Hal’s dreamy Irish pop passes my eardrum and flows directly into my cerebellum. Watch out brain, here comes Hal.

Hailing from in and around Kiliney just south of Dublin, Ireland, the trio are on a mission to ruin your perception of timeless pop. Brothers Dave (26, lead vocals and guitar) and Paul Allen (23, vocals and bass), Steve Hogan (28, drums) and Stephen O’Brien (27, keys) are young and excited about pairing timeless Beach Boy-inspired standards with Kings of Convenience harmony and Van Morisson sincerity

Alternating between pensive, melancholic ballads and power-popped catchy riffs and choruses, Hal’s self-titled album will both make you smile and get you laid. Brian Wilson eat your heart out.

The eleven sweetly produced tracks often feature Dave Allen’s Beegee’s inspired falsetto as an additional produced layer, harkening back to a simpler time — probably reminiscent of the music your parents listened to when they were creating you.

Favorite tracks include: Keep Love as Your Golden Rule, What a Lovely Dance and Play the Hits. And I’m not lying when I tell you that the cover artwork would have been enough for me to buy this album. Genius.

Alas, the best part about Hal is that each song has its own template that is completely unique. Each track is refreshingly original in it’s pop conformity, and that’s why I highly recommend this album.

Hal’s debut, self-titled album is available on Rough Trade records and is in stores on May 10. The group is currently touring the UK support Doves, The Thrills and Detroit hero Brendan Benson through May. Be looking for them across the pond very soon.