FORMED in Caen, France in 2005, Kim Novak have burned a slow fuse towards their first album. Appropriately so, as it turns out, for their brand of mildy austere, grand indie pop doesn't exactly fizz with fireworks - imagine Editors on Valium.

Actually, that's a bit harsh, for this first set of songs is liberally laced with alluring soundscapes, illuminated by occasional bursts of energy and the odd shark elbow of a melody muscling its way in. Somewhere in the shared DNA between Arcade Fire, The National, Interpol and Joy Division, you'll find the genus of Kim Novak - a little bit miserable, pretty moody and very keen that we take them seriously.

So, hardly a bundle of laughs then, but not without its moments.