Asobi Seksu - Me & Mary

Asobi Seksu demonstrate what would happen if the ghost of Bob Mould (were he actually dead) found its way back to Earth via the bodies of a more electronically-savvy, alternative pop duo. In this case they channel Sugar's fuzzed-up indie-rock into less than three minutes of racy, optimistic sparkle, the cloud-soft vocals of Yuki Chikudate standing in pleasant contrast to the buzzing guitar of the chorus. Me & Mary is the consummate single, checking all the requisite boxes - catchy, succinct, conventionally structured and quick to get going. Though ultimately a little on the disposable side, it's a modest triumph. [Chris Cusack]