Darkel is the solo project from Jean-Benoit Dunckel, otherwise known as one half of French electronica duo Air. Those looking for the sort of ethereal kitsch Air cooked up on albums like Moon Safari and 10,000 Hz Legend will be in for a shock, though. Still, it will be a shock that soon wears off, replaced by a smile and a warm feeling inside.

Dunckel has retained the quirkiness of his erstwhile partnership, but headed off in a dreamier direction, punctuated by the odd chopping guitar, insistent drums and funky rhythm.

The underlying feeling is still one of ethereal splendour, even if your man hasn't one of the best singing voices around; T-Rex's Marc Bolan singing in a high-pitched French "'Allo 'Allo" accent springs to mind.

But even this minor irritation is not enough to put one off the overall effect of this wonderful record. Dance grooves - as on the track Earth - mix it up with Pixies, as on TV Destroy, and the sort of soundscape stuff you'd plug in if you were spending an hour or two inside a flotation tank. Add to this the fact that the record just gets better and better with each listen and you have a pretty potent offering.

Not for everyone, but those for whom it is will never listen to electronica in the same way again...