After spending the majority of last year in the studio, Man Without Country are bringing their deliciously atmospheric brand of synth pop to The Portland Arms next month for what is set to be a refreshing highlight in Cambridge’s otherwise tame live electronic music scene. The duo of Tomas Greenhalf and Ryan James hail from South Wales and will be playing tracks from their gorgeous second album, Maximum Entropy, which was released earlier this month, on Lost Balloon. Speaking to Varsity in the run up to their 2nd March gig, the pair seem in high spirits and are very keen to entertain the university town.

Ambient electronic music is difficult to define and describe journalistically without coming across as wanky and pretentious, a trap I will surely fall into despite being highly aware of its presence. According to lead vocalist Ryan himself, the MWC sound is “a combination of programmed digital and analogue synthesisers mixed with live drums, drum machines and densely reverberated vocals… it’s emotional, intense, powerful and honest.”

With many of the new tracks written in separate home studios, with ideas sent back and forth via email, when listening to the intricately layered soundscape on offer I remain curious as to how the multipart tracks will be recreated in a live setting. And indeed, after some pretty extensive touring following their previous release, the pair have, by their own admission, focused on this all-important translation into a live environment much earlier on in the writing process. “Although,” warned Ryan, “it’s dangerous and restricting to overthink that aspect. We don’t want to turn into Muse!”

The band’s name carries an instant intrigue and derives from “a sense of not belonging.” Based in the South Wales area, Tomas further hints at the origins of the duo’s alias with his comments that living outside the bubble of a huge city has resulted in healthy distance from any coherent electronic scene, with their “approach to music almost as outsiders” meaning an ability to “focus solely on writing.” And this sense of isolation seems to have paid off; their beguiling, emotive, sweeping electro is indie-pop at its most dreamily indulgent and makes for a soothing listen time and again.  If they can recreate this glow for a live audience in Cambridge, then we’re in for a treat.