“It Hertz!” is the name of an upcoming album from UK-electro pop duo Katsen, a band I ALWAYS manage to spell with a z, but I hope I do it right this time. Their playful synth-pop has been on several compilations, like the brilliant “Bot Pop” album from Happy Robots recordings and “Electronically Yours Vol.1” (Undo/ EMI), but this is the first time we can play an entire album by this band.

So, what does it sound like? Old analogue synths and drum machines, 80s computer game sounds, static beat patterns, boy/girl-vocals, good melodies. I would say their music and the album’s wonderful collage cover has a lot in common. Like the collage, Katsen’s music takes elements from several different times and genres, and puts it all in a new context.

I was a bit afraid that a full album by this band would be a bit hard for the ears, since they often have a quite cold, sharp sound on their songs, but I really enjoy listening to it. It’s full of variation, from the frenetic kraut-inspired opener, “Let’s build a City”, with energetic vocals from both Chris Blackburn and Donna Grimaldi, via “I’m a Doctor”, full of “Dr.Who”-references, to warmer, calmer songs like the dreamy synth-pop song “German Filmstar” (a cover of The Passions 1982 hit, – also done by bands like Foo Fighters(spotify-link)) and one of my favourites on the album, the incrediby beautiful hypnotic end track “Florian”.

The album is released by two brilliant labels, Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation (UK, on the 28th September) and Shelflife (US, on 13th October). The labels will release the album with a slightly different track-listing, and while the UK-edition includes a cover of The Pixies’ “Cactus”, the US edition don’t, but has the song “Start As You Mean To Go On” instead (which is not on the UK edition).

You can find free mp3s from the album on both labels’ sites, here (two songs)  and here (one song).

Katsen – Where nobody can find us

Watch their version of The Cure’s “Play for today” (not on the album):