Stereo Total

For those who’ve never heard a Stereo Total song, here’s a description, in the band’s own words, "very erotic, very terrifying, you make me happy really long.” Pretty much spot on, save for the "terrifying” bit. Charming, international pop sung in French, German and English (before front-woman Francoise Cactus got brave enough to add Japanese and Turkish to the mix), both albums are full of the kind of stuff that — I imagine — would feature prominently in Kit Kat or Peugeot ads. As always, synths and found-sound make up the bulk of the tracks, although when the duo revert to the minimal, thumping drums and three grimy chords of "Lunatique” and "Tu m as Voulue” they sound startlingly close to a French White Stripes. If any of this intrigues you, you’ll probably enjoy the oddball covers of Salt ’N Peppa’s "Push It” and K.C. and the Sunshine Band’s "Get Down Tonight,” too.