Album: Black Kids, Partie Traumatic (Almost Gold)

Being neither all black nor kids (they're all on the wrong side of 25), this Floridian five-piece caused a stir last year with their synth-driven indie pop EP 'Wizard of Ahhhs'. 'Partie Traumatic', produced by Bernard Butler, offers up much the same; combining sardonic lyrics with pulsating rhythms à la the Human League, without sounding too dated. Excusing the odd blooper ("Love Me Already" borders on the cringe-worthy), tracks such as "Hurricane Jane" and the New Order-inspired "I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" possess all the right ingredients to soundtrack one hell of a dance-off.

Pick of the Album: 'Hurricane Jane': an anthem for Smiths aficionados