NEUROPA PLASTIQUE PEOPLE ALBUM CONZOOM RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Jason Last and Albert Martinez have been hard at it since 1997 and after a slight bout with new wave-esque sounds they are now fully and firmly back in electronic pop land.

Actually, "Plastique People" caused quite a stir when the Australian duo released it as download only in 2010. First American synthpop label A Different Drum pressed it on physical CD as part of their VIP subscriber series (300 copies worldwide) and now prolific Germany based Conzoom Records have released a new edition, including three bonus remixes.

In their finest moments, Neuropa are capable of creating some of the most catchy and heartfelt synthpop available anywhere on the planet. "Bound", "Beyond Here and Now", "Belief", "Regret"... the list of gems is quite long. "Plastique People" is remarkably strong overall, albeit void of real "killers". Mostly playing in vintage 80:s realms their sound is warm and accessible, still it has sting and force enough to feel robust and deep.

"Plastique People" is well crafted from one of Australia's best bands in the synthpop field. They are challenged mainly by fast-rising duo Parralox.

NIKLAS FORSBERG