Arthur and Martha are Adam Cresswell and Alice Hubley. The former was in Saloon whilst the latter was in The Duloks. Using their moogs, casios and drum machine they prove that the links between indie and electro pop are not as far apart as they may seem on first glance on this, their debut single release.This is the single which says to all those closet OMD, Jean Michel Jarre and Pet Shop Boys fans out there to head to autobahn and join the ride. You know the type - the ones who turn their Last FM scrobblers off whilst playing their secret tracks in case it ruins their obscure indie pop playlists and credibility!
Autovia sounds like Kraftwerk listening to the Rough Trade indie pop compilation whilst speeding down the motorway. It's pulasting driving stuff suiting it's auto-mobile inspired named. Flip side Japanese Kiss is poppier and is similar Pet Shop Boys finest moments. Cresswell's vocals are very Neil Tennant like meaning such comparisons are inevitable. It just shouts POP at you!
The download version of the single includes two extra tracks including the superb Squarewave To Heaven which is moog paradise and would no doubt would get the thumbs up from Delia Derbyshire at the pearly gates discotheque. The other track Autovia 2 is a more robotic, darker version of the original which still has it's merits.
Recommended for both analogue and digital heads.
Both versions of the single will be out on April 7th on Happy Robots. Tracks from the release can be streamed at the bands My Space page.
[My Space link]
Thank you tom for the lovely review, yr a star!