Sydney based outfit the Stick Figures have, for a number of years, been making a name for themselves in the Harbour City. More recently they have begun to get some attention from elsewhere too. They’ve appeared on the Ministry of Sound ‘Bang Gang Vol 1’ compilation, and have also been getting regular rotation overseas from the likes of Switch and John Tejada.

Their debut album, ‘Low Self Esteem’, is out of the Future Classic label, and was my first introduction to the 3 man team – and just quietly – this release has got serious legs. The track Number 1 is a great start to proceedings – and while nothing earth shattering, it typified a smooth fusion of electro and house with some killer samples-cum-vocals (courtesy of Rosa Yemen) – while at a solid 125 bpm the pace might not be cracking – the song absolutely is.

It reflects a subtle introduction, and one that would be just the tonic for the start of a big night. The solid basslines remain constant on tracks two and three, and while almost purely instrumental, Beachy and Slim Pickings combine to take the album into a distinctly more upbeat territory. We then move into a slightly more progressive sound through the middle – (I can almost picture the arms getting a bit hectic and in the air by now) – and with smooth melodies, complemented by some well-placed breakdowns, it is a perfect combination.

It marks a perfect lead in to their smash No Hands No Teeth; which, with some funky male vocals and a killer bassline with strong tech electro overtones, was deserving of the praise and partying that it got from spinners and punters in Australia and across Europe. Similarly with Useless (even the very tidy Random Factor remix gets a run), it’s an amalgam of solid drops and thick drums, and it’s little wonder the Stick Figures’ star is indeed a rising one.

The lads begin to wrap things up with more solid thumping beats, nothing that wouldn’t go to waste in the wee hours of the morning. The last track is Donkey Part 2 – and this was my only spot of bother with the release. It’s a 15-minute track that kind of just sits there and didn’t really appear to flow all that well with what came before. It’s a good track in its own right, albeit about 7 minutes too long. While it may serve some purpose, I’m yet to be convinced on what that may be.

Nevertheless, the beauty of Low Self Esteem is that the boys have got plenty to be confident about: it’s a nice little package (I mean that literally too – some very nice photography all over the CD sleeve), and a versatile one at that too. It’s just as likely to get some punters moving on the dance floor, or play on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Put it on your Christmas wish-list.