Is a Golden Filter supposed to be a catalyst? A rare and precious cigarette butt? Whatever it references, it’d be a shame if the pointedly enigmatic band and album name (though not as bad as Golden Silvers…) obscured a solid offering. Don’t let it. This New York based electro duo and their debut Voluspa are well worth being on first name terms with, and maybe more.

“Voluspa” apparently refers to a Nordic song referencing the genesis of our world and it’s coming end. Luckily, though there certainly are introspective, brooding and even morose segments throughout the album it’s definitely not apocalyptic. Yes ‘Dance Around The Fire’ beings with a portentous violin and breathy, alluring vocals, but it’s more tribal than bleak. Second track ‘Hide Me’ is actually very pretty, which is a pleasant contrast, because too much doom and gloom (though conversely too much sweetness and light) is a sure fire way to quickly garner a reputation.

Unfortunately the album could easily be said to be a late bloomer; mid points ‘Moonlight Fantasy’ and ‘Solid Gold’ recall early Goldrapp at her blandest. The latter track seems uncannily familiar, the melody is generic and is really little to commend other than a fleeting, space-age bridge-gap.

Thankfully, the latter half of the album is infinitely stronger, with ‘The Underdogs’ in particular proving a real highlight. It’s a sparse but lilting example of how a dreamy vocal melody can be sent sky rocketing into greatness by a few well considered synth harmonies and subtly rhythmic accompaniments. It’s not so much minimalist, more stripped down and happily grounded in the slightly kitsch, and the result is gorgeous shoe-gaze.

There’s not, ultimately, much that is strikingly different about this record than many of its contemporaries, but for a debut it’s assured and has three of four tracks that warrant repeated listens. There does seem a dilemma at the heart of Voluspa though. There are moments where Golden Filter sound like they’re seriously comfortable in their sonic skin; an extended instrumental section begs to be ramped up and blissed out to in ‘Frejya’s Ghost’, or the more ambient 1:39 of ‘Kiss Her Goodbye’; and there are swathes where Golden Filters seem to be holding back and pandering to the synth pop fans who prefer vanilla vocals, safe rhythms and unimaginative.

Despite the atmospheric photographs that adorn their official Myspace page and fantastical/mythological song titles that all scream “I’m an aloof, sexy mystery”, Voluspa just wants to be loved. It’s actually fun, pretty, and will even, inevitably, translate well to the dancefloor. Get under their skin and Golden Filters will reward you well. Just don’t expect them to tell you what they’re all about.