Electronic soul trio Unklejam have got the names (Tyson, Bobby and Adonistar), the juddering dance skills, the gutsy harmonies and the razzledazzle sunglasses to suggest they’re fully poised for superstardom.

Admittedly, they remain poised – but this headline show, prior to next month’s overdue release of their self-titled album, deserves to get things moving again. After all, Unklejam’s bravely OTT support slots for the likes of Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado earlier this year demonstrated they could command considerably bigger stages than this one.

If pop music involved such a thing as ‘logical progression’, then Unklejam would have steamed to No.1 by now. It’s true that they’re tricky to market – they’re a boy band aimed at grown-ups, or possibly robots – and it hasn’t helped that their material has emerged slowly.

Fortunately, the album still sounds like something to get excited about and the trio promise an even sassier, more whoop-inducing spectacle in the flesh.

Boldly flaunting their inspirations (they’ve adapted their name from a Funkadelic album), Unklejam’s goodies include the stupendous single What Am I Fighting For?, Outkast-style ballad Daddy Genes and the epic r’n’b electric shock of The Touch, where they croon about ‘digital traces in my bed’.

Heaven knows how you’d get those stains out – but Unklejam are the most entertaining freaks of the week.

Arwa Haider Tonight, Islington Academy, N1 Centre, 16 Parkfield Street N1,
7pm, £6. Tel: 0870 771 2000.
www.islington-academy.co.uk
Tube: Angel