This is the second album released under the Lightspeed Champion moniker by singer/songwriter Devonte Hynes, formerly the frontman of dance-punk band Test Icicles.

Famed for his outrageous dress-sense and bizarre interviews Hynes samples a wide range of genres on this LP which sounds almost unrecognisable from the Icicles days.

Produced by Ben Allen (Gnarls Barkley, Animal Collective) it consists of a collection of tunes which range from 90s Britpop to classical piano.

There are some interesting subjects. Madame Van Damme is a track Hynes has played live for a while now under its previous title – The Prostitute/Escort Song.

Despite its rather dark base the track is actually a rather light and frothy drive over the surface of guitar-pop.

Faculty Of Fears sounds like any number of Britpop bands from the early 90s could have released it. Another jangly number it is one of the better tracks on the album.

Perhaps the biggest treats are the five live tunes which appear at the finale. Each of the album’s big hitters appears as does a great cover of Elvis Pressley’s Devil In Disguise where Hynes does the hipster’s unforgettable voice justice.

This is a terrific LP and will only improve the musician’s standing among an already crooning media. Set to be one of the early hits of 2010.

LEIGH SANDERS Rating: 4/5