Album Review: The Ramona Flowers 'Strangers'

Named after a character in Bryan Lee O'Malley's seminal comic Scott Pilgrim, and loved by some bloke called Bono, this Bath/London quintet have been threatening greatness for a while. Inspired by the band's travels to places like LA,Tokyo and New York, and shaped by the people that they met on the road, this "study of the human condition" doesn't quite deliver on their obvious potential.

Nonetheless, it's a fun listen full of floor-fillers that fans of Everything Everything and Chvrches will love. The Flowers' most dance-minded record to date, Strangers starts strongly with the throbbing title-track. Its best moments are when are when they really allow their '80s pop influences to shine, with the Soft Cell-style 'Out Of Focus' being a particular highlight.

Also impressive is 'Seeing Double', a merry mash-up of 'China Girl' and early Klaxons. While there is the occasional filter ('Numb Drunk,'Ghost'), the record ends strongly with 'Supplement (Slide)', which embraces neo-soul, trance and R&B. It could signal a bold new direction.

Out now! Rating: 6/10