If you had played this CD for me and told me that it was the new release by Duran Duran, I would totally have believed you. Melodic, breathy vocals, big keyboard washes buoyed by a funky rhythm section and guitar all conjure up the best aspects of ‘80s British synth-pop. The very modern production is immaculate, and these Australian lads have really done their homework on crafting some very danceable tunes. The themes are just dark enough to keep things slightly unsettling, such as the chorus of “Meet My Friends” (“I saw the faces, I saw the fear”), and the lyrics in “Moves” (“Someone said how Ashley broke his arm...”) A shimmeringly solid debut!
By David Arnson
