Dan Black
‘((un))’
(A&M)

In a diverse modern pop world dominated by such clever song constructionists as Xenomania and now La Roux and Florence And The Machine, coming up with purely passable offerings just won’t cut it. Dan Black is pretty much screwed. This highly-anticipated debut from the hyped Londoner and ex-The Servant frontman, recorded under his Paris apartment, is a thoroughly dull and uninspiring collection of smooth ballads driven by string samples, beats and winsome melodies. When he ups the tempo on tracks like ‘Alone’, ‘Yours’ and the dreadfully titled ‘Pump My Pumps’, he becomes a little more interesting. But not a whole lot. And then there’s the whiney Cooper Temple Clause-esque vocals to get your head around too – don’t bother.

Camilla Pia