I don't usually review singles. Like, almost never. And if I do, I often team a couple of them up. But this is something spectacular.

Lake Ruth Extended Leave/ Strange Interiors 7" (Slumberland)

Imagine New Order playing Dare-era Human League songs with Allison Brice doing her best Sally Timms. I suppose one could call this shoegaze, but the electronic sheen and bounding bass take me much further back. Also, this is too propulsive for meditation.

Each song unfolds in unexpected and satisfying ways. The reason I don't usually review singles is that most of the time there's not enough to convince me. Lake Ruth had me after about three seconds. These two songs grab with velvet gloves.

Jon Worley