Jack Ladder, still kicking goals with Blue Poles.

Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders

Blue Poles

Barely Dressed/Remote Control

It a little odd that a couple of Jack Ladder’s backing Dreamlanders seem to have a higher profile than the man himself. Odder still when those are the ironic lounge lizardry of Donny Benet and the sometimes divisive performance art of Kirin Callinan. For as he again proves here, Jack The Lad is making some glorious neon-and-noir pop built around his rich croon.

In parts Blue Poles feels a little less studied, perhaps a bit looser, than some of his earlier work - but conversely perhaps a little more melodic and approachable. With himself now in the producer’s chair as well, the backing is there to serve that voice and these songs. Some things are a little more windswept than the grimy-but-shiny city streets and alleys you might expect, although Dates does nods toward Berlin-era Bowie & Iggy in its insistent rattle.

But the emotions are often still dark – or at least darkly humoured. Susan is another of those lost girls, with Jack left literally “…Upping the dose” in his casualty ward bed to keep some vision of her. But somehow, that comes with a bit of a knowing smirk. Ditto the sweeping highlight White Flag, where its original duet design is subverted by its delivery by one voice – just who is the one realising they’re trapped?

Blue Mirror is half-spoken memories over a shimmer of keyboards – think mid-period Roxy Music, or maybe David Sylvian’s Japan.  And the final Merciful Reply full of romantic anticipation and doubt – and somehow you know she’ll just be the next one to break his heart. Again.

Mr Ladder has made another album suitable for moody brooding. This he does very well.

Greater love hath no reviewer than to actually buy the record...