The Horrors’ flights of fancy circle the ever-generous carcass of ‘80s electro-pop

V’s lead single Machine may have been a joyously coruscating, crunching analogue triumph but no one song really encapsulates the varied electro-tentacles created by this gauche five-piece after a three-year break.

Taking pointers from Gary Numan and even Tears For Fears, it tracks between abrasive noise and smooth, supple synth work (even throwing in semi-acoustic guitar strums and piano for Gathering).

They take us from the filtered vocals, deliberate pacing, programmed synth bed and strafing guitar climax of opener Hologram to the spartan Ghost, which explodes with pent-up beauty two-thirds through, imbued with warmth by soaring, fuzzy keys.

The louche delivery of Weighed Down, a “lullaby to a soul in slow decline”, is wilfully contrasted with steely synths, brittle drums and garrotte-sharp guitar, while recent single Something To Remember Me By bottles the summer in a catchy cocktail of ‘80s dance-pop and a dash of trance.

The broad appeal of these songs and their assured, accessible kookiness could make pop stars of The Horrors yet.

Rating: 3/5