In 2010, we ate up Phantogram’s intoxicating mix of slinky and seductive downtempo electronic rock (not to mention their startling live show at Goleta’s Mercury Lounge). But 2011 finds the duo (vocalist/guitarist Josh Carter and vocalist/keyboardist Sarah Barthel) delving deeper and cranking the BPMs up a notch. On their recently released “mini album,” Nightlife, the pair move things from the bedroom to the dance floor, and come away with some of their most ambitious — and infectious — recordings to date. Album opener “16 Years” is a bass-heavy exercise in ethereal electro pop, while “Nightlife” plays up Barthel’s breathy, dreamlike vocals with a synthy ballad treatment. But it’s “Don’t Move” that elevates Nightlife to near perfection. Here, a twisted and groovy backbeat mixes and mingles with brass notes and Barthel’s high register pleas to “keep your body still.” Our response: good luck trying. Phantogram plays SOhO on Thursday, November 3. Call 962-7776 or visit clubmercy.com for tickets.

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