Electronic

Led by New Order's Bernard Sumner and the Smiths' Johnny Marr, Electronic make sure that melodic pop still has a place in the post-rave dance world. These alternative rock poster boys make dreamy dance and guitar music that is closer to New Order than the Smiths, but their '80s nostalgia exercises have also interested members of Pet Shop Boys and Kraftwerk. Their lead-off single "Getting Away With it" (1989) remains their defining moment, but they are very slowly building up a respectable body of work. Their second album Raise the Pressure let guitarist Marr shine and is an overall stronger affair than their debut. Their third release continues in this vein and is chock full of sunny, bittersweet music that makes you want to dance and lament a lost love at the same time.