So, first things first: the packaging for Nikonn's debut POLADROID is awesome. The exterior resembles an old Kodak package, and the CD itself is housed in a black plastic pocket, much like instant film itself was. As for the music itself, the gentle waving of "Sunday" and "Blue" evoke sunny downtempo bliss, particularly with the breathy vocals from Maria Papadopoulou. The vocal samples at that start of "Trip" extend this feel, right before "Inside" take things down a moodier, though romantic, route. "Le Cadeau" switches things up with some French spoken word to accompany its light electro. Sure, a few of the tracks edge too close to the cheese ("Little Girl," "Umbrellas") but the perky instrumental electro of "Alphabet," the cascading arpeggios of "Stay Close," and the lullaby melodies of "Fragile" help clear the palate. The rock-hybrid of "Unsuspected Time" doesn't quite hit the mark either, but the gentle tones of "Faces" smoothes over the rough parts. A bit of ethnic breaks comes onto "MultiCulti," and while the album overall is by no means a bad picture, I look forward to hear what develops.