Monumental

Royksopp & Robyn – Do It Again EP/Mini Album

Royksopp & Robyn have joined forces again to produce an EP/Mini Album called “Do It Again” is this a monumental collaboration or a collaboration too far?

The Do It Again EP (mini album) is bookended by two pieces of melancholy both nigh on close to 10 minutes long , the final track “Inside The Idle Hour Club” is a dreamy , layered ambient instrumental. The opening track “Monument” is probably the most atmospheric/ sad song VeReVieWs has heard this year, on this brooding dark opener; Robyn sings “Make a cast of my body ………. this will be my monument when I’m gone” The gentle sax at the end of the adds warmth to a monumental track. Events take an upward turn musically on the mostly instrumental track “SayIt”

“SayIt” is a slice of Progressive House which contains very little by the way of vocals apart from a distorted mans voice akin to a robot which says I want you to which Robyn confidently replies I Want You Too; VeReViewS was not totally sold on this track until they witnessed the brilliantly bonkers video , talking and barking dogs , hissing snakes, stomping chickens and some gravity defying dancing by Robyn, shot in black and white, I defy you not to have the clip on repeat.

The most immediate song on this EP (mini album) is the title track “Do It Again” it is quite simply pop perfection, once you hear “Do It Again” the melody stays in your head.

“Do It Again” The song – is as joyful as this EP (mini album) gets as it is rounded off “Every Little Thing” another slow burner of a song and the previously mentioned “Inside the idle Hour Club”

Do it Again merges the talents of Royksopp & Robyn to good effect, it’s a collaboration which makes sense and not one thrown together for purely marketing reasons. The quality of the songs shine through, it’s a pity that they did not make a full blown album now that would be monumental!

VeReVieWs Rating: VVVV/5

VeReView SayIt

Annie & Richard X

Annie – A & R EP

Anyone brave enough to use @annieponannie as part of their twitter handler deserves closer attention. Annie is not the most prolific of artists since coming to prominence in 1999 with the single The Greatest Hit; she has only produced 2 albums; Anniemal (2004) & Don’t Stop (2009); judging by this pattern a new studio album may not be with us until 2014, so as to bridge the gap we have the A & R EP.

The lead track is the aptly titled Back Together as Annie has again teamed up with Richard X, who was responsible for chewing Gum and I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me. Back Together is an excellent composite of the best rave tunes of the 1990’s brought right up to date, it even comes with a funny chart show style video. If you thought the song sounds Little Bootsesque you would be spot on as Little Boots co-wrote this track; Annie + Richard X + Little Boots = pure pop perfection in my book.

Hold On is reminds me of a combination of Break 4 Love and Italo house. Annie’s seductive vocal urges us to Hold On as she is here to take the strain.

Ralph Macchio is a sweet song about the actor who placed the Karate Kid. Annie lets us into a secret that she has never told; Ralph Macchio was her Romeo. Never let me go Ralph Macchio – sings Annie over the backbeat of a Chicago house track, I half expected Paris Grey– to interject Good Life on this track!

Invisible- is slightly harder & darker than the previous 3 tracks. A pumping industrial opening gives way to a familiar house sound. This track would not be out-of-place on Disclosure’s album Settle.

Mixed Emotions is a track that grows on you with each listen, it could be a lament to lover & also a realisation to Annie that she wants more out of this relationship than her partner does.

For those of you old enough to remember, the A & R EP distills all the best parts of he Deep Heat collections, which came  out in the late 80’s- and early 90’s, into 5 pop dance nuggets that will keep hs satisfied until her next studio album.

VereView Star Rating VVVV/5