Black Kids - Partie Traumatic

Rating:

****

Verdict:

A fresh fun twist on 80s pop

As Black Kids' debut album

Partie Traumatic

bursts to life, it is oddly reminiscent of the

Beverly Hills 90210

soundtrack. Which is fitting in some ways, as that is around the era in which the band really were kids. And this is nothing if not an album of youthful, hearty party fun. The perfect soundtrack to kick off a Saturday night.

The Brit-sounding five-piece hail from Jacksonville, Florida but owe their distinct Brit pop sound to producer Bernard Butler - the man behind Duffy's debut

Rockferry

.

Their electronic infused pop - full of fuzzy guitars, squelchy keyboards and strange underwater burbling noises - is a delightfully chaotic collection of 80s-inspired sounds.  Frontman Reggie Youngblood's strained vocals would be annoying, were they not balanced by his sister Ali's sweet, poppy backing vocals.

From the bleeps and blips of

Hurricane Jane

to the shimmying

I've Underestimated My Charm (Again)

- complete with Space Invaders sound effects - Black Kids put a fresh spin on retro sounds.

Joanna Hunkin