If you're looking for reference points, AWOLNATION bridges the rather large divide between Nine Inch Nails, Meatloaf and LCD Soundsystem.
Yes, there's a touch of Trent Reznor-style obsession about Aaron Bruno, the former punk-rocker-turned-front-man for Californian electro-punk outfit AWOLNATION.
Their second album is an intricately produced mix of Gary Numan-glamstomp, complex piano ballads and dystopian future-rock.
When Bruno breaks into bloodcurdling screams near the end of Hollow Moon's shimmering synthy grind, you'd swear it was Reznor, and you were listening to his dystopian masterpiece, Year Zero.
Watch the music video for Hollow Moon by AWOLNATION:
But Bruno provides so much variation across Run that things rarely get boring: the title track is a thrilling exercise in woozy post-rock guitar grind, I Am starts slow but builds to a brilliant - if slightly earnest - chorus, Woman Woman has that festival friendly fuzzy electro-wooze that's so hot right now, Headrest For My Soul is a simple singalong, while Holy Roller is a serene summer ballad.
Sure, it all gets a little lost in the 80s on the post-punk stomp of KOOKSEVERYWHERE!!! and the weird wobbles of Windows. But even with the occasional dud moment, there's no denying Bruno is sailing his influences into uncharted waters.
Artist: AWOLNATION Album: Run Label: Red Bull Records Verdict: Look out Trent, you've got competition
