Scissor Sisters - 'Night Work' (Polydor) Released: 28/06/10

When the Scissor Sisters redefined disco back in 2004 with their self title debut album, I thought it was love at first sound. Sexual innuendos and out there gay statements - from their band name to their provocative lyrics - were the driving force behind their instant success. But it was the catchy keyboard melodies delivered in both upbeat fun (remember the iconic farmyard performance of ‘Take Your Mama’ at the Brits, muppet watermelons and all?) and the tragic melancholy of hits like ‘Mary’ that appealed. That was until they released their second album 'Ta-Dah'. Yes it was a more commercially successful record, but it felt like the Scissor Sisters had lost some of their glam-rock roots in favour of pure pop camp, and my love affair ended there.

That was until ‘Night Work’ arrived, the latest offering from the New York gay ‘n straight five piece. The dimmed flames of my desire for their heady disco vibe have been reignited and apparently I have producer Stuart Price and Jake Shears' vacation to Berlin to thank. After scrapping an albums worth of recording, written straight after their 'Ta-Dah' tour, the band took stock of their sound and consciously decided to increase the sex drive of their next offering.

And that is exactly what you get, a club record so sexy it hurts. ‘Any Which Way’, so seventies disco, the Bee Gee’s would be proud, sees Ana Matronic oozing the lyrics “in front of a fireplace, in front of my yacht, in front of my parents, I don’t give a damn” with such conviction you can’t help but sing along. The anthemic single ‘Fire with Fire” showcases Shears' soulful twang and is a reminder of how beautifully the Scissor Sisters execute heartache and hope. Matronic gets to work with the heavily layered ‘Skin This Cat’ whilst the playful and exuberant ‘Running Out’ aims to keep you firmly stuck to the dance floor.

The Scissor Sisters influences - from Abba to Kraftwerk - are out there for all to see with ‘Night Work’ but none so obvious as the Pet Shop Boys inspired closing track 'Invisible Light'. This stand out track had me achingly desperate to head to my local 80s club while at the same time pour my heart out to anyone who would listen; I felt under a trance, induced by the War of The Worlds apocalyptic monologue from Sir Ian McKellan and Price’s talent to add depth and synthetic frisson to the band’s raw talent.

The Scissor Sisters have captured my heart once again and although their third album may not bring them chart topping success, it’s a more honest offering, and allows you to lose yourself in a world of glam-rock, sex-driven hedonism - no wonder I’m smitten.