Hang on a minute: Synth-rocking beats, androgynous appearance, vocoder breakdown, and comedy hairdo why, surely we must be at an 80s comeback gig? Ah, no, its newbie synthpop duo La Roux.
For some reason - possibly related to high-pitched vocals and shattered ear-drums - La Roux is one of those bands that get an extreme reaction, even among fans of sugary chart pop. Compared to the glowing reception Little Boots is getting, La Rouxs too-cool-for-school image has already managed to get people's backs up - and theyve only released two singles. Its the sort of publicity Lady Gaga would kill for.
Whatever the reason, saccharine-sweet and sassy singer Elly Jackson and co-writer/co-producer Ben Langmaid have proved that theyre here for the long haul and theyre not scared off by the competition. While In For The Kill gave us a taste of what was to come, Bulletproof was a much stronger call to arms with a killer chorus that packed a mean punch.
Now others are sitting up and taking notice. Featured as one of the Best New Acts of 2009 in the Guardians January review, the self-titled album has also been nominated for a Mercury Prize. So stick that in your exploding bra and smoke it, Gaga!