Apples in Stereo are part of a noble American tradition of breathless power-pop made by nerds. The Apples' first album in five years, New Magnetic Wonder is, as its name suggests, a delirious pop masterclass. Apples in Stereo are Weezer without tears. This is, unequivocally, a good thing.

The sense of fun is obvious from the start, when one of the two keyboard players, who also doubles on tambourine and backing vocals (Apples in Stereo songs have lots of both), appears alone on stage wearing a silver cape, generating the kind of quasi-comic synth rumble that might have been a sound effect in the Flash Gordon film.

Lead Apple Robert Schneider is living proof that being short, thick-set and balding is no barrier to the nerd-pop hall of fame. He is quite the guitar hero, burnishing most of the songs with the kind of irresistible solos that demand the adjective "blistering" and seem as though they must be the result of long hours practising in front of a mirror with a tennis racket. It is huge fun to watch.

Energy is an adrenalised pop nugget, with creamy backing and the kind of melody that is immediately glued to your frontal lobe. Same Old Drag throws Steely Dan into the mix, and is far too good to be over so quickly. Apples in Stereo should really be named after something far less good for you. It's hard to believe that something so moreish can be so wholesome.