After two years on the LA scene, synth-pop rockers Radio Vago have become local darlings, recognized by LA Weekly readers as one of the city’s best new artists of 2002. Their five-song debut EP offers the rest of the world a taste of the atmospheric art rock churned up by these five punkish divas. Outfitted with everything from theremin melodies to buzzing guitar hooks, they ooze late-night menace in songs about spirits and screaming cities. Spiking the postured diffidence of post-punk new-wave classicists like Joy Division with flare-ups of emotion, singer Adrienne Pearson’s voice rockets from cool urban ennui to theatrical shrieks. When the loosely ricocheting drum beat kicks up under an insistent spiraling keyboard and angled guitar accents on "Mail Order Bride" and "My New Suit," the sonic dance party conjures the B-52’s gone to the dark side. Radio Vago aren’t the only band revisiting the new-wave junk heap these days, but they’re better than most at injecting fresh energy into the distinctive retro sound.