Ford & Lopatin

Channel PressureSoftware/Co-Op ***

Previously known as Games, Joel Ford and Daniel Lopatin (who has been gathering plaudits for his deep synthy soundscapes as Oneohtrix Point Never) are would-be kings of the mischievous pop frontier. Channel Pressureis an album that is rarely backwards in coming forwards about outstanding debts owed to previous sonic eras, and the duo draws much succour from the sounds of the 1980s and early 1990s. Unlike others who've decided to pay a pastiche homage to previous eras, FL are far too smart to keep pushing the irony button and unwilling to hold back their songwriting ability in pursuit of a concept. What we get, in between some knowing glances and arched eyebrows, are fine, meaty tracks like Too Much Midi (Please Forgive Me), World Of Regretand Joey Rogers, which are loaded with sticky, sleek hooks. An album with fun coming out its ears. See soundcloud.com/games

Download tracks: Too Much Midi, World Of Regret