(Om Records)

www.OmRecords.com

Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, the four British arms of Groove Armada, have always maintained a sexy downbeat tech vibe for their albums. Even when they're in big bat or Franco-electro territory they keep the proceedings sweat-less. Black Light changes the game a wee bit.

There's a dark musky pall cast across their usually way-glossy productions - a fizzing grimy frenzied noise that percolates while keeping things eerily reminiscent of hi-NRG synth pop; but Soft Cell synth pop, the slightly dirty sort. While the Armada boys muck up their boldly-going melodies with that jittery dusky sound ("I Won't Kneel" and "Paper Romance," in particular with their sweeping singer SaintSaviour front and center) one can't help but lean a keen ear toward Bryan Ferry on "Shameless." No joke, this sort of panicked noir arrangement behind ferry's effortlessly silken swoon is exactly what you pray Roxy Music does for that intended reunion album. If Eno doesn't do it, Groove Armada should produce them. Do the strand, love.

Standout Tracks:  "I Won't Kneel"  "Shameless"  "Time & Space" A.D.AMOROSI