NZCA Lines @ Soup Kitchen, 10 February

For second album Infinite Summer, Michael Lovett fleshes out his electro stratagem with creative support way beyond off-the-shelf hired hand input. To his right: drummer Sarah Jones, formerly of NYPC, Bat for Lashes, Hot Chip and anyone else in need of industrious, creative percussion.

To his left is Charlotte Hatherley (credit to the tipsy gobshites stage front left who click part way through: "Hang on! Is that her from Ash?!"), whose forthcoming Sylver Tongue project is finally being readied for release after years of playing with, well, everyone. Both contribute much, but this is Lovett's show. 

Infinite Summer is hungry for the big stage and a packed room confirms we're all finally starting to get it. From the clipped guitars and vibrant funk of Chemical Is Obvious to a closing Two Hearts, where Hatherley's extended, squealing solo tops out an enveloping euphoria, NZCA Lines are a deeply convincing live act. Sure, they tip a serious nod to every nerd collective who's spent the past decade reverse-engineering Discovery, but Lovett's writing is a league ahead of the much of the current pack.

Compass Points and Okinawa Channels are booming reminders that we slept through their under-appreciated debut, but as the trio are pulled back for a single encore of How Long Does It Take, it's Lovett's current (and future) fancies that intrigue. If he can keep this terrific line-up in place, the possibilities are endless.