Minerve are singer-songwriter Daniel Wollatz and programmer Mathias Thürk. Their brand new album, Sensefiction, delivers eleven solid tracks that pulse with life, exploring some of the darker themes surrounding love: loss, isolation and introspection.

The songs come in two primary varieties – driving dance tracks and forlorn ballads. Although there is a feeling of melancholy throughout, the musical tone remains upbeat and stimulating. "Lost in Your Room," with its infectious piano refrain, and the quick-paced "Take Me Higher," are my top choices from this laudable long-player. This is a very candid album. Wollatz uses his golden voice to put the listener in his shoes, conveying an array of complex emotions through unembellished, understandable lyrics that fit perfectly with Thürk’s smooth, catchy synth lines.

Replete with strong, dramatic elements, the music of Minerve is certain to draw comparisons to Depeche Mode and Mesh. Personally, they remind me more of Wolfsheim, and at certain moments they inspire memories of more recent output by Clan of Xymox. Synthpop fans take note... this album, which rides the line between club and radio-friendliness, is certain to be one of the sleepers of 2006!