Bubblewrapped

Bubblewrapped

Sometimes lost in ironic ’80s-revivalism is how flexible a style the decade’s synth-pop proved to be. Scotland’s Electroluvs put the music’s giddiness to use on a series of witty, exceedingly well-crafted songs that could serve as backdrop to either a John Hughes dance montage or a spiteful young love affair. The guitar-noir of “Over + Over” would please another director, David Lynch, while “First Rush” cleverly recasts the riff of Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” alongside whip-crack percussion. “Teenage Timebomb” restates a classic trope, as does “Wicked Girl,” a reminder that each generation has its arguments about who’s gonna do the cooking. Giddy and thoroughly modern feeling (hey, maybe the future really is now!), Bubblewrapped is one of the sweetest surprises the British Isles have exported in a long time. Scissor Sisters fans are encouraged, nay, urged to check it out.

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