Although the members of Diet Kong removed themselves from the concrete jungle by shacking up in a winery in the Catskill Mountains, the results of the recording session on "Beautiful Blackout" still exude the frenetic, vibrant energy of the city – possibly even more so than the trio’s previous set of songs. The slicker production and addition of live drumming on this release contribute to the band’s growing sound. Diet Kong’s brand of dance rock is a mixture of LCD Soundsystem’s sophistication, The Cars’ pop sensibility and The Ting Ting’s spunk. When singer Jenn Penn and singer/guitarist Keith Gladsyz weren’t raising livestock, enjoying the bucolic lifestyle and meeting the band’s soon-to-be drummer, Jeff Harrigfeld, they were honing their songwriting skills. The proof is in the pudding; just take a listen to any of the five tracks on “Beautiful Blackout.” By the time the chorus kicks in the second time, you’ll be singing along and wondering why this band has been running under the radar the past few years. Diet Kong will play live at The Studio at Webster Hall on April 6. – Nancy Chow