The Naked And Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You

The Naked and Famous invite you into their whimsical world of enchanting synths and grubby riffs with debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You. The Auckland-based quintet group have proven themselves feisty contenders within the music business back in their home country, with single 'Young Blood' topping the New Zealand charts. However, the amalgamation of The xx's vocal harmonies and MGMT's electric whirlwind may prove a little has-been on British turf.

There is no denying this group can pack-a-punch when it comes to a catchy pop song, as highlighted in festival-friendly 'Punching in a Dream' and 'All of This'. The bitter blend of Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers' combi-vocals work their magic on 'The Sun', but become unnecessary and tiresome on 'Eyes' and 'Frayed'. Something The Naked and Famous are not shy of is dynamics. 'Jilted Lovers' offers a mishmash of quaint vocals and thick, dirt-fuzzled guitar, while 'A Wolf in Geek's Clothing' contains playful banter between industrial rifts and a sugar-sweet chorus.

Passive Me, Aggressive You could prove a more grabbing format to a live audience than played on record. The band have the groundings for an exciting electric-funk future, and the experimental use of vibrancy and colour cast in 'Young Blood' and 'Spank' have certainly gained them the right to have a go.