Pacific! – Narcissus

As synthetic harpsichord razors through Jean-Michelle Jarre futurism, the atmosphere conjured by Swedish duo Pacific! on opener Arcadia is so thick with ludicrous dramatics that you half expect Richard Burton to announce an impending Martian invasion. From the splendidly ridiculous new-age cover art to each track’s lengthy sub-titles (Halfheart – A Heartbroken Echo is Swallowed by the Rocks and Becomes a True Echo to offer one snappy example), Pacific! are boldly absurd.

Yet they navigate their retro final frontier with great finesse; although conceived to soundtrack a modern ballet, Narcissus works sans choreography, particularly if you harbour affection for Daft Punk (with the emphasis on Daft), Kate Bush (evoked on the delicate From Lips Divine) or aforementioned gallic electro-wizard Jarre. Even if those particular touchstones don’t tickle your fancy, give Venus Rising a try: echoing Goldfrapp’s calling card Lovely Head, its laid-back space-disco vibe constitutes the album’s finest interstellar segment. [Chris Buckle]