Maybe Aberdonians just do things at a slower pace but for a band that formed in the 90s, the Needles have hardly rushed to put out their debut long player. Still while they show little haste in their efforts to release material, there’s no such lack of zip in what they have recorded. In fact it’s such a rocket fuelled trip that it’s a relief when they slow it down at track 7 for some swooning Ripples folk (Poison Ivy).

From the opener, the 70s Eno Roxys techno glam stomp of Let You Down, onwards, there’s no shortage of jabbed pounding keys and catchy rock rhythms. The inspirations are relatively easy to spot - early Costello, 60s Nuggets bands particularly the Sonics, the geeky powerpop of Weezer and Fountains of Wayne, and a less pompous Razorlight - but the sumptuous quality of the hooks, coupled with Dixon's strong vocals, make the sum even better than its parts.

Top tunes abound so the musical Little Jack Horners amongst us will inevitably pull out a perfect pop plum when dipping in. Indeed, the Needles have hit the spot with pinpoint accuracy...

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