Published: Tuesday, 2nd March, 2010 8:00pm

In the mail this week: Chew Lips

Album review: Unicorn by Chew Lips

It was with excitement that I opened this particular jiffy bag, after the storming performance electro trio Chew Lips gave when I saw them at the Oakford earlier this year.

Lead singer Tigs had worn some exceptional spangly white hotpants, channelled Debbie Harry and generally bowled-over the crowd. The trio produced some very unexpected, brilliant, punchy electro pop and quickly became a permanent fixture on my Spotify sidebar.

At first I was disappointed not to see the fantastic singles Solo or Salt Air on the track listing - but two listens later and I had found a firm favourite in Play Together. This is the only track which fits comfortably into the mental box I'd put the two singles into, but by no means is that to say the rest of the album is a write off.

While some of the songs could benefit from a quicker time signature, some are nothing short of beautiful and lyrically there are some delicious ideas.

Tigs' gentle voice hops, skips and jumps along the words and I love the sweet, disinterested intonation in the line 'A high-speed chase on your wedding day' from the opening track Eight.

Frustratingly, across the album a couple of toe-curlingly close hooks build but never reach the smack-you-in-the-face drop we're all waiting for.

But nevertheless there is a fair helping of fab melody, clickety sharp beats and that indescribable quality which makes respectable people stamp a foot and wave an arm in the air, hoping they won't end up with hair/necklace in their drink.

BEST TRACK...number 2, Play Together (watch it below)

MOST APPROPRIATE...to have playing when a cool friend unexpectedly visits

LEAST APPROPRIATE...if you're into 'real' instruments, you know, like they used to make them

FIND OUT MORE...at www.myspace.com/chewlips