Ghost Estates Slap in the Face Records

It’s hard to imagine how Ghost Estates, formed from the ashes of Dublin bands Sickboy and 8 Ball, would blend such disparate musical foundations. The former’s edgy post-punk made for energetic live shows, while the latter’s brilliantly inventive poptronica was as laidback as it comes. Surprisingly, their middle-ground is rarely uncomfortable.

Although October's electronic pulse awkwardly grapples with rock riffs to a clumsy, Kasabian-like outcome, the quintet make amends with Paris's sleek, funky boost, while the bass throb of Pop Song brings to mind a gloom-free Interpol. It's closing track Forever or Never that sticks, though. A melodic number that skitters around Super Furry Animals' squelch-pop territory, it's a positive precursor to whatever Ghost Estates might conjure up next. breakingtunes.com/ghostestates

Download tracks:Pop Song, Forever or Never