New releases last four weeks: Coldwave/Synth

Review: The band's companion piece to their debut album, with MDMA-slanted remixes (they were among the first E-dopters) and one new track, was always a strange, thrilling detour that delved deeper into the band's darker side. Reissued now and pressed on pink and blue vinyl, it leans into the playful and hedonistic spirit that fueled the duo's early years. 'Memorabilia' still slams with that proto-industrial funk, drenched in echo and attitude. Their version of 'What?' is gloriously off-kilter, part cabaret, part warehouse rave. Marc Almond's vocals are as dramatic and sly as ever, while Dave Ball keeps the synth lines rubbery and raw. There's a sense of controlled chaos here, where the line between irony and sincerity blurs beautifully. 'Sex Dwarf' is one of the band's most intense moments. A club hit that works today just as good as back in 1982. Even in its more minimal moments, there's a sweaty urgency to these tracks. The whole thing feels like a snapshot of a night that got way out of hand, in the best way possible. While the original album was darker and more introspective, this one lets loose, offering up a lean set of tracks built for movement and attitude. A record that was never afraid to get weird, which suits us down to the ground.