Who? Whitey is the brainchild of East London native Nathan J. Whitey, who previously held gigs as a journalist and graffiti artist. His self-produced debut, The Light at the End of the Tunnel Is a Train, was released through 1234 Records last year in the U.K. With Dim Mak reissuing the album Stateside, the Brit rocker is set to launch a U.S. tour with Peaches this fall.

What's the Deal? Whitey's sinister electro-punk sound is a mix of the Gorillaz, New Order, and Iggy Pop. The tracks on the '80s-style disc veer from slinky and hypnotic ("Can't Go Out, Can't Stay In") to blaring and muscular ("Y.U.H.2.B.M.2."). What makes this dance-disco lothario stand out, however, are his disaffected vocals that spout out repeated come-ons. "I see you in the dark / That's where you always are," he sings over sleaze-drenched synths in "A Walk in the Dark." "Let's take the long way home."

Fun Fact: Babyshambles guitarist Patrick Walden was originally part of Whitey's backing band. GINNY YANG

Now Hear This:
Whitey - "Walk In the Dark" Download MP3

Now Watch This: Whitey - "Non Stop"

Talk: Are you blue in the face Whitey's album has finally dropped in the U.S.? COMMENT

On the Web:
Whitey at myspace.com