Labour of Lust

While his 1978 debut album was a superb sampler of styles, this follow-up found Lowe truly nailing his sound, backed by Rockpile’s in-the-pocket rhythms and pub-rock grunt. The sparkling strum-along single “Cruel to Be Kind” hitchhiked in on the New Wave movement with buoyant harmonies, a bruised heart and a twinkle in its eye. The choogling feel of “Cracking Up” is equal parts London lager and Louisiana moonshine, and that’s Elvis Costello sneering along in perfect harmony on the sprightly and cutting “American Squirm”.