Begone Dull Care is the third full-length album from Canadian electro duo Junior Boys, who have built a solid reputation in underground circles through their 10-year career while never managing to penetrate the mainstream. This album isn’t going to catapult them to stardom either, although it is a rather beguiling collection of expertly crafted electronica.
The record opens with ‘Parallel Lines’, an excellent slice of Depeche Mode-style industrial pop, with Jeremy Greenspan’s vocals recalling Jamie Liddell in Supercollider mode. ‘Work’ morphs from its ominous, Future Sound Of London-style intro into a vintage dark electro romp, while ‘Bits And Pieces’ indulges in some Crystal Castles-like 8-bit action. Best of all is ‘Sneak A Picture’, a sublime slice of electro soul.
Greenspan and his musical partner, Matthew Didemus, do falter slightly on the bland, mid-paced ‘The Animator’, but redeem themselves with the closing ‘What It’s For’, a downtempo gem reminiscent of Fridge. Overall, Begone Dull Care is a fine album that should find considerable favour with aficionados of quality electronica.

Key Track: ‘Sneak A Picture’