After initially causing something of a kerfuffle with their slinky, self-titled debut (and a live show which boasted Irish pole dancing champion Arlene Caffrey), Exit: Pursued By A Bear appeared to go into hibernation. Now, the Cork quartet (not to be confused with the Limavady space-rockers of the same name) finally unveiling the sequel are back with a stylish, slightly more stripped back slab of fiendishly infectious electro and ambient soundscapes.
‘80s era British synth-pop is a big touchstone throughout the ten tracks. But singer Tadhg Hickey’s honeyed croon is timeless. They are at their most enjoyable when they’re being playful – ‘The Blind Spot’, for example, contains some wonderfully weird lyrics (“Kissy kissy ugly duckling... squishy fish and slippy tumble”); the group sound positively joyous on ‘Pished!’; and ‘The Tallest Man’ is a fun fusion of New Order, Ultravox and the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. Listen up...
_Out now

Rating: 8/10
Key track: 'The Tallest Man'