(Virgin)

www.virginrecords.com

Royksopp's latest begins with "Happy Up Here," a burst of pure bubblegum electro-pop. Its ‘80s-influenced bounce is just one of the many joys of Junior, an album that successfully explores the different moods sequencers and synthesizers are capable of producing. Part of its success is the featured guest vocalists. The Knife's Karin Driejer-Andersson appears on two of the album's best tracks, including the dark and mechanical "This Must Be It." Of course, when fellow Scandinavian pop sensation Robyn shows up on "The Girl and the Robot," or when Royksopp emulates Air on the instrumental "Royksopp Forever," the tone is much lighter.

For a band whose music has appeared on many a commercial, it's remarkable that they can keep electronica from sinking into the boring morass it often gets bogged down in when linked with Apple or VW.

Standout Tracks: "Happy Up Here," "This Must Be It" JONAH FLICKER