Handcream for a Generation

In the half decade since *When I Was Born For The 7th Time*, Tjinder Singh and Ben Ayers seem to have taken in even more influences and flavors, which they waste no time reverse engineering and re-creating. The dance club vibe is heavy as ever here: in pure disco form, complete with pulsating bass lines, strings, and laser beam synths (“People Power,” “The London Radar”); in a global mash stew (India meets Africa on “Sounds Super Recordings,” Bhangra joy lights up a hippie commune on “Spectral Mornings”); and with an affectionate nod to rock ’n’ roll (“Lessons Learned from Rocky I to III” is topped off with a ‘70s boogie-rock guitar glaze). Just as “Brimful of Asha” confounded with its mysterious title/refrain, the tongue-twisting “Staging the Plaguing of the Raised Platform” rides atop a similarly undulant groove and singing along is mandatory, though you may wonder what the heck you’re singing about. Throw in the dub spice of “Motion the 11,” the vintage soul-funk of “Wogs Will Walk,” and the perfectly balanced, Cornershop mash that is “Heavy Soup,” and you’ve got heaven on a dance floor.

Dance party at the United Nations! Relaxing after a long session hammering out trade sanctions, human rights accords, and peacekeeping ...

<p>After five years, Cornershop have made a dazzling comeback. By <strong>Alexis Petridis</strong>.</p>