I'm a kid of the 80s. That decade encompassed every one of my teenage years. So I'm totally fluent in new wave (and hair metal, and whatever .38 Special was. . .). And yes, I'm a sucker for a gorgeous electronic melodic line.

Sin Cos Tan Greed (All That Plazz)

But I also know shite from bangers. And Sin Cos Tan combines the precision and beauty of early Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark with the dark lyrical sensibility of the Cure. Which is to say that Jori Hulkkonen and Juho Paalosmaa have an exquisite feel for this sound. This is their fifth album, and judging by the amazing work here, there's no indication they're slowing down at all.

Their palette is less severe than old school new wave, but that slightly warmer texture is balanced by lyrics that pull no punches. The album title is an apt description of the focus, but it allows lots of room for admonishment. Indeed, at times the cutting lyrics almost feel like an internal punishment for enjoying the gorgeous music bursting forth.

Enjoyable on many levels. This is the most entrancing music I've heard all year. Yes, it's totally in my wheelhouse. But I haven't heard pure electronic new wave this sumptuous in its precision in years. Decades maybe. An absolute stunner.

Jon Worley