Slowclub’s Complete Surrender is tortured-heart retro pop with a sultry vibe, often accompanied by big-band instrumentation. Notes of 60s pop with modern finishings, this release rides on catchy hooks and wiggle-your-hip rhythms. I found it to be a welcome break from the overwhelming synth pop trend. Complete Surrender maintains a nice balance between vintage throwbacks and contemporary grooves, blending subtle electronics with real instruments. Without intending to be too ironic, most of the release is a “complete surrender” to themes of heartbreak and break-ups – while there’s some great upbeat stuff, there’s quite a few slow-burners on this one including, “Not Mine to Love,” “Number One,” and “The Queen’s Nose.” Favorites of mine are “Everything is New,” “Dependable People and Things that I’m Sure of,” and “Wanderer Wandering,” tunes which deviate marginally from the overarching old-pop vibes. Slow Club is headed by Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor of Sheffield, ENG. This is the band’s third full-length release in a long line of EPs and singles. (Wichita Recordings, slowclubband.com) Victoria King