Once in a while you hear a debut album that can directly compete with all the other bands in this genre. The American STATE OF THE UNION released such an album with “Black City Lights’. Their mixture of danceable synth-pop and more accessible forms of electronic body music have a high club potential. Although you hear some tunes and beats that have a recognisable feeling, the music is never directly related to any other band. The result is a very danceable album with all the right beats.

From opener ‘Enemy Of The State’ till the last song ‘Walk In My Shoes’ this whole record is a floor filler. Catching beats, personal lyrics with a meaning and well-written songs complete the picture. The fact that STATE OF THE UNION uses a live drummer shows that the live show should be something special as well. ‘Black City Lights’ puts this band right next to the likes of Apoptygma Berzerk. Therefore this album is an absolute ‘must’ for people who are into danceable synth-pop…