Royksopp emerged from the ice and anonymity of Norway in 2001 with their debut record ‘Melody AM’. A delightful little morsel of chill out pop sprinkled in the warm glow of the synth. The last release in 2005, ‘The Understanding’, flirted with a trancier hard side of dance music. If ‘Junior’ were a soup it would have the right amount of every ingredient. Its part pop, part storming electro, part ballad, part beautiful. Something for everyone. The album’s first track and single ‘Happy Up Here’, is a perfect opener, as it welcomes new listeners to the Royksopp sound. It doesn’t stray very far from the Royksopp formula of warm, up beat synths paired with intoxicating vocals. The track receiving the most dap is ‘The Girl & The Robot’ featuring Robyn of ‘Konichiwa Bitches’ fame. It is part pumping dance tune, part heart breaker layered amongst a crunchy melody. Continuing the collaborations Lykke Li pops up on ‘Miss It so Much” which sounds like a track that was created purely for her, and would fit perfectly on any Lykke Li record (please release more music Lykke Li!!!). Closing out the guests on the album is Karin from The Knife and her cameo on ‘Tricky Tricky’ which might just find its way on to a few compliations later this year when remixes start filtering out, its definitely got some life to it and it’s a nice change of direction for Royksopp. Although Royksopp have dived into newer edgier sounds, this album is paced really well due to the slower, down tempo tracks that are the glue for this record. Tracks like ‘Vision One’, ‘Royksopp Forever’, ‘ Silver Cruiser’ and particularly ‘You Don’t Have A Clue’ provide the alum with its most intimate and delicate moments. Royksopp craft these tracks so well, it’s hard to find anyone who does down-tempo so well these days. This a album that pulls the best bits from the past, reshapes it and produces something essential for 2009. It’s an album worth buying because it doesn’t represent just 2009 or just dance music. It has a bit of everything in it and its timeless, it’ll sound just as good (and relevant) in a few years as it does today. VB
So a few years ago while working for a large and prominent record chain I made a made a judgement way too soon. I called out the Gnarls Barkley record ‘The Odd Couple’. I called it the worst album of the year and personally thought it was the musical let down of the last decade. But I was so wrong! ‘The Odd Couple’ is a modern day soul classic, just sit back and listen to the pain in Cee-lo’s voice. I haven’t seen this live but checking it out on You Tube this album translates even better on stage then it does on record. Check it out: This is a cool cover of Reckoner by Gnarls .. check it out ... So have you ever dismissed or acclaimed a record before you’ve really gotten into it or let it pass you by? VB *CB would like to applaud the seesawing opinion of his co-blogger. There is hope for Vampire Weekend yet! ** VB would like to shout down Vampire Weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!
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