Otto & Astrid are a musical duo with a hint of White Stripes about them in their musical roles and aesthetic. Having discovered that their creative energies are not best served by their co-dependency and conflicting personalities, they embark on solo projects, only to find that they can’t seem to escape each other. 

From an Iggy Pop-influenced rocker that celebrates the loyalty of the kitten, to Astrid’s mournful kiss-off to her brother, Otto & Astrid’s musical parodies capture the New Wave sounds, electronic and guitar-driven only to subvert them with funny lyrics filled with spite or repressed desire. While Astrid wants to live the hedonistic life, Otto just wants a cuddle and a sensible attitude to health and safety. Much of the comedy relies on their dysfunctional relationship, but Otto’s naïve disposition and Astrid’s flamboyance can carry the humour alone; the show is split between their attempts to establish individuality and an inevitable reunion.

Creating a self-contained world, in which their celebrity is assumed and their family history a battle-ground over which they try to assert dominance, Otto & Astrid have enough musical clout to rock as hard as they joke. It is the obvious affection that they have for the absurdities of post-punk fake toughness that allows the show to be more than just a parody and become an emotional journey with hesitant swagger and wry commentary on New Wave’s awkward pretentions. 

Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project, Assembly George Square Gardens, until 27 August, 7.25pm.