London based electro popsters Rubicks are an outfit who've already caused quite some buzz due to high profile use of their music in Italian fashion house Valentino's latest campaign and a string of American, Canadian and European touring dates. Following 2009's IDIOT TIME EP and 2006's IN MINIATURE album, GIDDY UP is the four piece outfits latest release, another slice of slinky electro pop that slots them neatly into the Ladyhawke, La Roux, New Young Pony Club shaped musical hole.

With a blend of seductive female vocals, grinding bass rumbles, shimmering synth stabs and sinister guitar noise, GIDDY UP is superior sounding pop that takes its cues from the likes of Gary Numan, The Human League and Goldfrapp; dark and sinister in places yet shot through with a sugar sweet pop sensibility that lodges itself in your cerebral cortex and refuses to shift. Vanessa Anne Redd sings with a sultry by way of sleazy purr, delivering her vocals in ice cool style over a delicious electro pop soundtrack.

Released ahead of the band's forthcoming second album due this summer, GIDDY UP is a slice of superior sounding electro pop that finds Rubicks returning in fine form; certainly ones to watch.

The genre mashing quartet from New York have done it again with this second LP. The success of their self titled debut from early 2008 laid the path for the genius that is 'Contra'.

Clearly growing, as artists and people, has brought them to this strategically mixed up album. Not many bands can take influence from reggae, calypso, ska, mix it up with a dollop of pop-synth and sprinkle of xylophone and make something so creatively sound. Opening track, 'Horchata', literally pulls down the pants of conformity, in the middle of whole school assembly, while the girl he likes is standing next to him.

With a beat to rival a samba band, violins, and group vocals that fill the whole song with warmth, as a band they have done exactly what they wanted to, and it couldn't have worked out any better. To look at, you would  expect the Columbia University graduates, would be firing out the same old wannabe Smiths comeback that you see so often with emerging bands today. Quite the contrary, they prove themselves with talents way beyond their years.

Almost like a current day, US west coast version of 'The Beat', giving you music that you can equally think about or skank to. At the same time giving you melodically sound gaps to have a rest in between.

Taking sample from the massively popular 'MIA,' in track 'Diplomats son', not only bridges the gap between todays pop culture and an already different style, but also shows the diversity of an already proven diverse band. Ending with track 'I think ur a contra', they have put their neck on the line in the best possible way. Using this song to show that simplicity works with difference, and scattering musical influences can leave you with the most logical product.

'Contra' says something about the ambition of Vampire Weekend, and in this album they have achieved something that has raised the bar on what four guys with a vision can pull off, given artistic licence and a loyal backing. A musically well put together and thought provoking album.