There are a pile of bands paying homage to 80s revivalism at the moment, but Hurts are actually going the whole hog with the looks, the videos and choice of photographer for their press-packs (Anton Corbijn - U2, lots of black and white, moody poses etc). Donning suits and staring at the ground is all very Visage and Tears for Fears, but do the songs come up to scratch? Well, yes they do so far with recent single "Better Than Love" owing more than a nod to a cross between ABC, Everything Everything and Duran Duran. It reached number 50, not a bad start for only their second single (their first in the UK), after "Wonderful Life" released in Europe last year.

But, comparisons aside (as well as the androgynous make-up), they have made an effort to relive the more refined image of a decade short on style. Sort of like The Face in monochrome... Their new album is released in August, simply called "Hurts", and early suggestions indicate that it might be worth your attention.

The synth-pop duo are out on the road in October, beginning with Brighton's Concorde on the 2nd Oct, Leeds Cockpit (3rd), Glasgow's Oran Mor (4th), Manchester's Ritz (5th), Birmingham's Library (7th), Bristol's Trinity (8th) and the Shepherd's Bush Empire (9th). Tickets go on sale at 9am this Friday, priced at just under a tenner, except the London date which is a reasonable £11.50. They are due to play Dingwalls on Thursday this week - but this has sold-out already!