Night Drive

Like labelmates Glass Candy, the Chromatics recently ditched their early aggro/noise-punk beginnings. Switching labels from the art-rock institution Troubleman Unlimited to the sleeker Italians Do It Better imprint, the trio's gone even darker, feeding sultry, minimal disco-punk through spidery horror flick synths and scuffed guitars.

Nearly unrecognizable as the work of the one-time punk rock outfit, Night Drive is effectively Chromatics' third debut album in a row, following a wholesale transformation in sound and style and yet another lineup change: Adam Miller is again the sole constant member; vocalist Ruth Radelet is a new addition even since the 2006 teaser Nite, replacing Lena Okazaki, while Glass Candy's Johnny Jewel, who produced that single, is now a full-fledged member.