Life's a highway

Did the pop world really need a concept album about American automobile engineer and executive, John DeLorean? I insist it did, for Neon Neon’s Stainless Style is one of this year’s most enchanting and hypnotically enjoyable treats. Neon Neon is a collaboration between Animal (Super and Furry variety) and pop prankster Gruff Rhys and producer, ahem, Boom Bip. There is a splendid Eighties charm to this long player, catchy and simple electronic beats forming the backdrop to melodic gems and witty numbers that tell of DeLorean’s personal and business life. It’s an unusual recording really but tremendously pleasing; both groovy and quaintly humorous, Stainless Style is an album this rather damp summer was waiting for.