Even now, there are few things as sublime as the Middleton/Moffat partnership. Rather than opt for their trademark culmination of beautifully crass monologues, warped with those meandering guitar lines, Speed-Date is a clever tune brimming with pop sensibilities and wanton sarcasm. Despite the unusual node for Arab Strap to be so 'to the point', never has this randy ol' Scot been more appealing, spitting his bile to Middleton's infectiously leftfield backing. A lifetime achievement for music services? I'd have thought so.
JON LAWRENCE
Fact: 12
Best in ages from the Strap, gently haranguing lyrics and a madly infectious buzz of bristling noise. Sod fame, releases like this impart that Moffat and Middleton are crafting a way more enduring legacy for their band.
ANDY CRYSELL