Casiokids

Norway's best-kept secret are now out on this side of the Atlantic. After building a following in their native land, as well as the UK, the Bergen-based collective known as Casiokids (a name that came after investing in a bunch of second-hand keyboards) arrive with a debut album made up of the seven-inches they released on esteemed indie label Moshi Moshi. Known for incorporating shadow puppets and animal costumes into their live show (they once also did a tour of kindergarten classes), Casiokids definitely live up to both halves of their name, with nursery rhyme melodies and gurgling synth arrangements. As the title suggests, Topp stemning på lokal bar is a Norwegian language album, but the band's bubbly behaviour, inventiveness and musicality knock down any barrier that stands in the way of enjoyment. What Casiokids do extremely well is write songs with an uncanny familiarity to them; each of the eight songs emit a case of déjà vu, be it from a melody, wonky synth riff or bouncing, club-friendly rhythm that's as stimulating as it is frustrating to fathom. Whether it's the shivering punk funk pulsations of "Fot I Hose" or the offbeat sentimentality of "Grønt Lys I Alle Ledd," this group of Norwegians deserve to usurp both Annie and Datarock as Bergen's most prized possession. Packaged with a bonus disc of remixes, Topp stemning på lokal bar is a whimsical anti-depressant where the only long-lasting side effects are a perma-grin and an undying urge to jump around like a kid again.