AFTER three years honing their craft on the road, much has changed for Australian indie-dance act Cut Copy.

Their once-small label, Modular Records, has become one of the most influential in the land, having broken Wolfmother, The Presets and The Klaxons among a bevy of scene-friendly groups.

And having gained a strong live following, the pressure for second record In Ghost Colours to deliver a smash had exponentially grown.

The band was flown in to work with uber-producer Tim Goldsworthy - co-founder of renowned dance label, DFA Records - to add his signature touch.

With a co-ordinated international release, plus the anticipation created by airing three fine singles, it is a ploy that has seemingly worked.

Far from the quiet reception Bright Like Neon Love received upon release in 2004, In Ghost Colours has shot straight to the top of the national charts.

Many of the elements of their debut remain - the obsessive basslines reminiscent of seminal dance act New Order; the haunting vocals giving life to those propelling melodies.

But while tackling more conventional songcraft, the obvious confidence the band exudes has also seem it expand their scope to reveal their influences stretch further than the 1980s.

Opener Feel The Love is a synth-laden, space rock number citing 70s classic group ELO; the straight-ahead Unforgettable Season glistens in shoegazer style guitars; and closer Eternity One Night Only takes the wall-of-sound aeshetetic made famous by My Bloody Valentine even further.

Cut Copy have also taken full advantage of the electronic wizardry at the disposal in DFA Studios, adding greater depth to their sound and creating some ambient electronic pieces that serve to slow the pace.

After a bold beginning - which peaks with the stomping Lights And Music and the big 4/4 crescendo of So Haunted - the second half of the album features some middling disco numbers that quickly run out of puff.

But if you like your electronica with a big bag of hooks; sing-a-long choruses and a cleanness that often borders on cheesiness, then this improved showing from Cut Copy will satisfy.