The electronic duo is, it seems, as much a classic pop lineup as the 4-piece guitar band.
And this Edinburgh-based pair – Stephen McLaren and Sean Ormsby – are the next to follow in the dance-steps of bands ranging from Cabaret Voltaire to the Pet Shop Boys.
They’re not as pure ‘pop’ as the latter or as arch as the Sheffield experimentalists, indeed, piano and falsetto vocals are as likely as electronic noise over their debut’s nine tracks.
‘Headland’ is quite the opener, at once ethereal but also a stomping potential floor-filler, while ‘Never Stand a Chance’ ups the tempo, all high-energy rush, though they show they can take a break and chill out with the spoken word ‘Blue Tiles and Chardonnay’.
With no one obvious influence, Blue Tiles could be ready to write their own name in the electro guidebook.
Melancholitronica is out now. This article originally appeared in the Hawick News.