Cassette Electrik: 'Electromagnetic'

Ever since Kylie started doing the electro boogaloo and Goldfrapp began to soundtrack phone adverts, every band and their dog has been citing the electro movement as a big influence. However, boy/girl duo Cassette Electrik manage to put themselves head and shoulders above most of their keyboard-toting namesakes by at least tossing a bit of soul into the studio equation.

It's not surprising that they've opened for fellow travellers The Human League - Cassette Electrik's music aims for the same chilly emotion, but with added crunchy beats and analogue synths. When the formula works (like on 'The Smartest Bomb' and 'Voyager') they come across like peak-time Pet Shop Boys with an extra dose of the glums - which can only be a good thing. There's enough on their debut to excite any robot-loving electro popster and, frankly, any band which covers Erasure's excellent 'A Little Respect' is alright by me.

myspace.com/cassetteelectrik

Written by Matt Chittock.