Pop Levi

Welcome back. You've been out in the wilderness - wandering, lost, confused. Now it's time to return to a new form. Pop Levi - genuine maverick - has returned with a new album, the avant-pop masterpiece Never Never Love.

"A true cult hero" (NME), probably the only contemporary musician in the world beloved of both Jarvis Cocker and Noel Gallagher, ex-Ladytron bassist Pop was never likely to come back with the same record all over again and Never Never Love doesn't disappoint.

Recorded entirely in Hollywood at Quincy Jones' old studio, Westlake, where both Thriller & Off The Wall were laid down, Mr. Levi has returned with an album about the madness of love - 100% autobiographical, 100% clever, 100% dumb, 100% unique. And that's giving 400% already.

From transitional rockers like "Wannamama" and "Oh God," Pop spreads his wings, relying on a production flare that makes the record feel fresh and slick as well as charmingly hi-lo-fi. Title track "Never Never Love" shows that while he hasn't abandoned the dynamics of the rock group he has also been steeping himself in contemporary R&B. Central track "Dita Dimone" re-tells of his break-up with the song's eponymous heroine with all the low-slung swing sass of a future-classic. From hereon in the album takes off in all kinds of weird and wonderful directions - from the crazed danger pop of "Mai's Space" to the heartfelt longing of "Semi-Babe", the wonky dub of "Call The Operator" to the final comedown of "Fountain of Lies".

Flamboyant, utterly self-confident, completely his own man and so uninterested in the back and forth of fashion that everything he makes is an instant classic, Pop Levi is in the building. Bow down and give thanks.