IN recent years Glasgow has been a hotbed for synth-pop, with the likes of Chvrches and Prides leading the way. It is a strange place to find an up-beat, euphoria-inducing sound, as Glasgow is typically known for its rough dock-yard image, inspiring countless artists to produce grim, mournful and beautiful songs.

Perhaps synth-pop sprung out of a need for an antithesis, to act as Devil’s Advocate to the surroundings. Anyway, it is clear it has found a home in the Merchant City.

This leads us to Errors, and their fourth studio album Lease of Life. The Glasgow band have been tugging and stretching at various different genres over the course of their career, dabbling in electronic, soundscape and experimental styles, but always with variety and difference. With Lease of Life they have introduced a much more synthy sound, and have crossed tentatively over the line into what can only be described as experimental synth-pop. It might be the other end of the synth-pop spectrum to the space that Chvrches and Prides occupy, but nonetheless, Glasgow has seemingly produced another very able graduate in this genre.

Opening with  the shimmering ‘Colossal Estates’, an instrumental track that builds gently with repetition, utilising a drum machine and synth’s to create dreamy tones, we are introduced to the experimental side of the album. On the flipside of this, is third track ‘Slow Rotor’ which indulges the pop side. Sitting nicely on top of a simple synth riff is an accessible song complete with a radio-friendly chorus. Don’t get me wrong, it still flitters around, neglecting the normal duty of a pop song to come in at 3 minutes, with the conventional verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure. But at its heart it is pop.

With this album the band haven’t been afraid of the stopwatch, with numerous songs clocking over 5 minutes, and the closer – ‘Through the Knowledge of Those Who Observe Us’ – lasting close to fifteen. Perhaps these longer, more flowery pieces were inspired by the birthplace of this album, which lies on the Isle of Jura. The band have admitted to being influenced by the Isle’s scenic surroundings, and slower way of life.

This album is definitely a step-up in ambition for the band. This materialises in many ways. Firstly is the guest appearance from singer Bek Olivia, whose vocals on ‘Putman Caraibe’ take the album in another direction just at the right moment. Her sweet singing contrasts with a more urgent and bassy backing, and it is one of the strongest songs of the collection.

There is also the inclusion of a choir during this album, and a greater emphasis is put on meaningful lyrics. All this speaks of a band more comfortable with themselves, and more comfortable with taking risks and putting themselves out there. That is to be expected with a fourth album, but not always guaranteed.

With Lease of Life Errors have straddled the line between experimental electro music and simple synth-pop. It works beautifully in places, like the track ‘Dull Care’, but in other places it finds itself caught in between the two styles, not really sure of what or where it wants to be.

It is also an album that at times can pass you by, until you are awoken suddenly by a more pulsating section, before drifting away again into the background. The album is brave, ambitious and musically very fulfilling, but at time it coasts by. If you are patient then this album offers up some magical moments, hiding like little gems amongst the soft, laconic synths that connect these songs.