Located in Berlin, Elle P. & Ifta release their debut album created from little other than an 8-track cassette recorder, 3 synths and 2 drum machines. Such rudimentary use of equipment, by modern-day standards, leads to an album of spacious electronic songs – free of overcomplicated programming and lush production effects.

It also hastens the requirement for Elle P to provide a vocal performance that can add personality to the music, which she dutifully does. With 12 songs in all, Elle P marches boldly through the rousing electroclash of Two-Three-Eight, provides deadpan mutterings on the maudlin moody Fishing and earthy theatrics on the spiky, pitch-bent Flashlight.

Meanwhile, the surging Sheffield, with its stiff, barking drum beats and robotic analogue synths can’t help but lead one to reminisce on 80s era synthpop, likewise the following For Lovecraft – with its basic keys and very little backing, lifted by Elle P’s unassuming vocal; carrying the melody line.

Despite Mrs. Oscillator & her Pocket Calculator lacking musical range due to its deliberately sparse use of equipment, Elle P. works wonders to add verve and personality to the album, with Ifta acting as an intelligent soundboard for what is some pretty decent songwriting for the most part.

Retro – tick! Nostalgic – tick! Contemporary – tick! There are so many albums like this, but the duo’s earthy edge and bountiful imagination rises above the morass to make the difference. A good debut, with hopefully much more to look forward too from this duo.