Released 30th September.  Modular/Island

Kiwi electro/pop.  Truly, this is the 21st century.  Okay, so that’s a bit mean, but Ladyhawke’s debut album feels like it could not have existed a few years ago.  Thanks to the likes of The Rapture and The Klaxons (and Cut Copy closer to Ladyhawke’s home), all things neon and danceable have infected any fashionable music worthy of the name.  Synthy, 80s sounding, disco rock has been allowed back into the fold, and while Ladyhawke dance along a dangerous line they’ve made an enjoyable debut album.


As if to show that they have accepted the composite nature of their music, the album cover features a bandana-d Ladyhawke playing a SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, for the under 15s), with infra red hand gun tucked in belt.  It’s a clear sign that Ladyhawke are not exactly pushing boundaries but they know about the good things in life.  Their first two tracks sound great, “Magic” bouncing along on a fabulous electro beat and “Manipulating Woman” biting hard with a gutsy guitar riff.  Singles “Paris Is Burning” and “Dusk Till Dawn” are playfully tuneful with social scene lyrics, the former with shades of LCD Soundsystem.

The rest (apart from the slow burning and majestic closer, “Morning Dreams”) is either memorable for a limited period only or basically at home in the world of over produced songstresses Kim Wilde or (shudder) Tiffany.  In the album’s context, Ladyhawke get away with it thanks to Pip Brown’s great voice.  But, rather like going to Tesco at 2am, occasionally you find yourself saying, “hang on, what am I doing here?”.  In the case of Tesco, it’s muffins.  For Ladyhawke, it’s dancing around in your underpants in your bedroom/local trendy club.  No bad thing.

Posted In Album Reviews, Oct 01 2008. Words - Martin