I've heard quite a few Welsh rock bands over the last couple of years. There's a clear affection for new wave and 90s alternarock amongst the Welsh-language set. Siula is different. This duo plays electronic pop, and its songs are in English and Welsh, without an apparent preference for either.

Siula Night Falls on the World (self-released)

The general feel is minimalist electronic beats, ethereal keyboards and Iqra Malik's voice (straight and overdubbed). The gentle feel is clearly influenced more by laptop pop than goth or darkwave. On the whole, this set is meditative rather than assertive.

Malik's voice is strong and supple, with a firm lush quality that generally sounds better alone than multi-tracked. It sounds like she's inviting listeners into her thoughts is most charming and unguarded fashion. Siula is utterly not prepossessing, but these songs shine with a quiet confidence.

Simple, not basic. Chill, not disregarded. And, eventually, utterly arresting. Siula's hypnotic trance develops slowly, but that just steels the net for the moment the trap is tricked. At some point, the sound is inescapable. Handcuffs of the velvet kind, ones you don't want to slip. A gorgeous alternate universe.

Jon Worley