The eponymous debut album from the Edinburgh supergroup (of sorts) is – as one might expect from from a band named after a notorious “health spa” in Leith – the soundtrack to the dark, suburban underbelly of the city and one that revels in decidedly nefarious pursuits.
Built upon the dirty, dub-beat foundation of drummer Rusty Burns (Fire Engines) and bassist Colin Whitson (Gin Goblins) and the dominatrix styled lyrics of Hettie Noir, Scorpio Leisure create snake-like electronic grooves easily recognisable to followers of Siouxsie Sioux or Lydia Lunch.
Opener ‘Serpentine’ encapsulates the primitive nature of their music, possibly too tentative to be completely convincing, but when the band find their confidence as on ‘Running On The Spot’, with guitarist Mungo Carswell’s gorgeous dream-pop hook at the front, they grab the leash and yank your collar firmly in their own direction.
There are enough ideas on this record to warrant the hype that has been bubbling up around the band since its inception, and there is plenty of crossover potential too. ‘Pulse Beat’ is lascivious and louche, stretched out on the bed along the length of its duration – a bit like Madonna’s Erotica reimagined in a back street karaoke bar by your inappropriate auntie. ‘Parasite’ promises slightly more than it delivers but benefits too from its scuzzy and straightforward approach.
In a live setting, the band certainly aren’t found wanting in terms of attitude, with Hettie Noir the glamorously uncompromising focal point. If they can squeeze more of that into their studio sound, Scorpio Leisure will be the kind of guilty pleasure that you’ll want to revisit again and again.
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