EMMON THE ART & THE EVIL ALBUM WONDERLAND RELEASE: FEBRUARY 7, 2007 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 20, 2007

Emmon's debut album is a grower. After my first listen, I was ready to dismiss it entirely as one of those stylish but cold tributes by the artistic indie pop junta to eighties synth pop sounds. But "The Art & the Evil" will not be sidestepped so easily. The songs that start out annoying you with their obvious borrowings ("Frency Eyes" begins as a blueprint of "Blue Monday") gradually gain strength and break down your defences. They're just too damn catchy to ignore.

Emma Nylen, aka Emmon, sounds better off in her own electronic guise than with her guitar based band Paris, although the two are not altogether different. Neither of them are really engaging beyond the surface melodic sheen, but Emmon's songs are much more direct and stick to you for far longer. While the competition in this synthesizer pop segment is overwhelming in Sweden right now, there is no denying the hit potential of "The Art & the Evil". No dance floor should be without it.

MATTIAS HUSS