Soft Universe
Sony Music
***
Nick Littlemore may be better-known as one half of the Aussie electro duo Empire of the Sun, but long before he donned bonkers face-paint, he had been dishing out the beats with PNAU.
The fourth album from Littlemore and Peter Mayes (who also doubles as Empire's producer) ups the emotional notch from their previous releases, with wailing vocals over the bass thumps and synth squeaks.
There are some arms-in-the-air moments (particularly the first single The Truth), plus a few Hurts-esque attempts at retro melancholy, but overall it just doesn't pack the same kooky, er, PNAU as their last album.
