When his underachieving indie-pop mob Cherry Ghost ran out of road, frontman Simon Aldred figured a change in surroundings was called for. Enter Out Cold, a vehicle powered by bright, breezy electropop and deeply dug grooves (produced by Ash Workman, who previousy shaped smart highbrow pop with Metronomy and NZCA Lines) rather than the weary, over-wrought introspection of old. That said, Aldred remains an adroit lyrical craftsman as he addresses – and celebrates – coming out as gay and seeing the world through that lens. There's still a lush ennui and beautiful turn of phrase to Aldred's penmanship ("Fingers Through the Glass" and "Murder Black Corvette" are really well turned out in this regard), but the new musical spirit which powers him along elevates this record above the pack. He won't be looking back in anger or anguish at this rate. facebook.com/outcoldofficial

Download: "Fingers Through the Glass", "Murder Black Corvette"