The Virgins - The Virgins (Atlantic) New York City has certainly churned out some bloody good music over the past handful of years. It seems to be the city where the cool dwell and flourish, and are, most importantly, discovered and exhibited. The Virgins are the latest to be picked out of NYC's melting pot of talent, and are, somewhat predictably, skinny-jeaned up to their necks and suited-and-booted in hipster-hugging attire - all with matching sneers and pouts, of course. Their eponymous debut album isn't much different, either - it's cool, it's ironically nu-new-wave, it's practically wrapped in neon nylons and, not forgetting, it's already been featured on the sardonically craptastic but addictive 'Gossip Girl'. So how does it sound, I hear you cry? Well, shove Phoenix, The Teenagers and Van She in a room together with a couple of instruments and you might find yourself a close enough answer. So it's nothing truly original, but what's there is nonchalant, instantly-catchy dance rock with a new wave edge. 'One Week Of Danger' is a fun, sexy song and an instant winner, with the robotic-vox-infused 'Private Affair' and the summery 'Rich Girls' swaggering close behind. A casual triumph of a debut from the boys of the city. TW Review originally published by CMU Music Network www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk Next