Martin Dupont - Kintsugi (2023)

If we tell you that's Marseille's new wave electronic heroes Martin Dupont have supported the likes of The Lotus Eaters, The Lounge Lizards and Siouxsie and the Banshees, but also been sampled by Madlib and Tricky, then we're beginning to get to the heart of their wide appeal. Now, after the success of 2018's The complete collection 1980-1988, the band have returned complete with original members (alongside some new additions) and their first new LP for 35 years. It's not hear to see their influence on electronic artists - the surging, dark DXS7 synths and programmed drums remain intact - as well as the goth appeal of singer Alain Seghir, with his shadowy voice clocking in somewhere between Scott Walker's doomy self-reflection and Billy Mackenzie's compelling histrionics, shown off to its best here via 'Nice Boy' and 'Your Passion'. Drama, death and tragically doomed love... What more do you need to liven up your lunch hour?!