Goldfrapp: Black Cherry

Reviewed by RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald Rating: * * * * )

The second album by British duo Goldfrapp might be in the same electropop neighbourhood as Madonna's newie. But it's how you twiddle those knobs that counts. While their previous Felt Mountain was all very Portishead and noir, this fair pulses with Will Gregory's surging synthesisers as singer Alison Goldfrapp's icy vocals swoon across the top.

There's something mighty alluring to it all, as it swings from the robotic-boogie of Train to the wispy wash of the title track and the torch tune likes of Deep Honey, to the Kraftwerk-on-viagra likes of Tiptoe, Strict Machine and the come-hither Twist, a song that wins this month's "tunes to leave you hot and bothered" prize. Recommended, with a wink.

(Mute)