Dan Black
Un

With synth pop the musical style of choice these days, Dan Black's timing couldn't be more perfect for this 'Un'. From the synthesised vocals that open the album on 'Symphonies', the tone is set, and it's one of warm, user-friendly pop. Though 'Un' can be a little sugary in places, Black has certainly come a long way since he was the lead singer with guitar pop band The Servant.

The majority of this album may be made up of tender ballads reinforced with electronic beats, but 'Un' only really gets going when Black takes to upbeat, bass-heavy dance numbers. The disco dance hook of 'Pump My Pumps' and lightweight percussion of 'Love Life' make perfect dancefloor fillers, while the funky guitar pluck and chemical sound effects of 'Yours' make it most subversive track on offer.

Still, there's no escaping the wearisome, cheesy ballads. The rhythmic strings, buzzing syths and high-pitched harmonies of 'U + Me =' may keep it from becoming sappy, but other songs are not so lucky. 'Cocoon' comes across like a naff R&B love song,'Cigarette Pack' introduces annoyingly bland guitars, and 'Life Slash Dreams' is just one example of sweet atmospheric electronica that just fails to engage.

Perhaps Dan Black is a romantic at heart, but it just comes across as smarmy. Next time he should stick to what he's good at - fast paced, thumping dance-pop.

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