Various Artists – Radio Resistencia (Enfant Terrible)

Netherlands-based independent label Enfant Terrible celebrate their five year anniversary this year, and in the spirit of previous compilations such as ‘Electronic Renaissance’ and ‘Festival Der Genialen Dissidenten’, this latest collection ‘Radio Resistencia’ provides an overview of the label’s roster, with previously unreleased tracks from no less than 18 different bands. There’s a noticeable lean towards indie / synth-pop and New Beat centred influences here – while Swann Danger’s opening ‘Hit The Bricks’ suggests some ferociously overdriven hybrid of The Slits and Big Black, Black Ice’s ‘Bells Of Sicily’ sits closer to early period Ladytron, a glittering synth aesthetic that’s nicely followed up by the dark electro-goth stomp of Popsimonova’s ‘Obrisi’ and Florence Foster Fan Club’s dark Italo-esque ‘Subliminal Neurosis.’ It’s certainly not difficult to recognise the pivotal cultural influences being referenced here, with the likes of Malaria, Nitzer Ebb and Joy Division particularly recurring as touchstones here, but while the sense of familiarity frequently creeps in here it’s the sheer quality of the tracks gathered here that most impresses. Indeed, fans of the similarly stylishly sleazy International Deejay Gigolos label will find much to admire here. Well worth investigation…and with a limited edition of just 1000 copies, you’d best move quickly.