Former Ghosts – New Love

Have you ever seen a caffeinated spider spin a web? Imagine the same effect when giving Emeralds crack – a rumbling beat you'd associate with Tearist (whose Yasmine Kittles makes an appearance, noticeably on Only in Time) and the haunting vocals of Freddy Ruppert. At first bite the many legged project may not make an impression, but give it time and the synth-pop outfit's sophomore album will make you itch.

Setting itself to be as decisively divided as debut Fleurs, the richly halting despondence of main man Ruppert doesn't just make us wonder if he's going to pop it; his voice contrasts alongside the vocal brilliance of his female counterparts. Chin Up featuring Zola Danilova is the unquestionable stand-alone, while Ruppert's And When You Kiss Me is a tepid try by comparison, reflecting the fact that the whole album is a maelstrom of good, bad and plain listener isolation. Which is what makes it so damn interesting. [Ali Ryland]