Ladytron

Ladytron

Velocifero

[3.5/5]
Five years ago, Ladytron threw their fans a curveball with Softcore Jukebox, a compilation that gave a good idea of what’s played on their tour bus. Back then, the synth-fixated four-piece seemed obsessed with Kraftwerk but were actually just as into post-punk misanthropes the Fall, psychedelicized ’60s rockers Shocking Blue and the eternally kitsch-cool combo of Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra. Velocifero masters the art of bringing such disparate influences together. From the My Bloody Valentine-splattered hypno-rock of “Ghosts” to the candy-swirled dream-pop of “Season Of Illusions,” Ladytron’s fourth album is, more than ever, the work of a real, live band. Those missing the days when the Liverpool-based crew seemed more like microchip-powered androids can proceed to the fembot glitch-tech oddity “Predict The Day.” Whether they are dabbling in Bulgarian chamber-pop with “Kletva” or funking shit up for the death-disco detonator “Deep Blue,” Ladytron suddenly sound every bit as awesomely eclectic as, well, Softcore Jukebox. (NETTWERK) Mike Usinger

Categories: