Stubborn Heart - Stubborn Heart (One Little Indian)

'Better Than This' is heralded by clockwork drums; brisk ratatats and inhuman thwacks set a jerky rhythm for the shimmering synths and the silk vocals from Santucci. It's got an obvious pop quality, recalling 90s R&B with the lyrics and weaving luxurious key melodies underneath. Grimy, unnerving bass heartbeats emerge from the shadows to kick off 'Two Times a Maybe'. It definitely leans on the post-dubstep, eschewing the wob-wob of bro-step to take the genre back to basics – halftime drums, snare heavy, with a sinister spiral of bass taking centre stage. Cover of Reuben Bell & The Casanovas' golden soul rarity 'It's Not That Easy' demonstrates their knack for simple pop balladry. Though it may not be originally theirs, they make it their own with a barebones approach, focusing all attention on Santucci's mourning, sometimes fearful, voice and creating a cover version which is delicate and heartfelt.

There's a whole host of post-dubstep acts around at the moments, vying for a share of the limelight. Stubborn Heart set themselves apart with captivating vocals and light pop elements sometimes overlooked in the genre in favour of the skeletal percussion and haunting basslines. They do however, keep some conventions intact, with a downbeat emptiness dominating the timbre and rickety electronica elements providing red-eyed energy.

'Interpol' recalls Grimes in the synthwork, and stands out as a breathy, rhythmic pillar with a hint of middle-eastern influences. It's slightly dischordant, but that imperfection only serves to add an atmosphere of bleakness. Eventually, stabs of churning bass attack the calm, reminding us not to get complacent in our listening. 'Blow' scuttles skittishly into focus, robotic percussion dominating the intro as a BBC wildlife-documentary-style synth pad looms in the horizon. There's an air of tranquillity in the minimalist cut, with only the subtlest of changes occurring in the soft sounds.

The album is another of the year's fine debuts and it would seem like 2012 is the year for up-and-comers to make their mark. Stubborn Heart have done just that, with a seductive flash of corrupted post-dubstep scorched with the branding iron of soul. There are similarities to Hercules And Love Affair in the soul-led electronica, with deep vocals and genuine emotion featuring prominently. This is a band who have completed the difficult task of living up to the hype and delivering a debut that is impressive within a frankly stale genre. With their live debut recently accomplished during last month's Swn Festival, we can surely look forward to a slew of dates in support of their eponymous debut and seeing the glorious electro-soul in action.