trip hop
Rejoice, Monophona is back with a new album. I first got acquainted with this trio a few years ago and I immediately loved everything about them. Back then, their music was a welcome change from the musical heaviness on Merchants Of Air and perhaps thanks to Monophona, our website found the level of variation we initially strived for. So yeah, I am a big fan of this Luxembourg band and it looks like this new album is not going to change that. I was curious about it. I was curious about their new stuff and how it differed from the old. After giving 'Girls On Bikes, Boys Who Sing' a good listen, I have to say that they got even better.
The album ight open kinda weird and unusual but once 'Courage' is fully on its way, you immediately get immersed in this beautiful world Monophona has created. The link with acts like Lamb is easily made, but even in the world of trip hop, Monophona has their own sound, a sound I like very much. 'Courage' is trip hop pur sang, and excellent teaser for what is about to come. In the nineties, this song would have been a huge hit. Today, it should too.
Then comes 'Tick Of A Clock' which might be one of the most aggressive trip hop tunes I've ever heard. Björk's 'Army Of Me' comes to mind, certainly its heavy and in your face approach. Yet, what I also notice is how coherent and attuned Monophona has become. Once this act started out as an experiment, but now they are a full fledged band with a convincing and organic sound. The songwriting has improved, exactly like the execution.
Another band that often comes to mind, is Bee and Flower, especially in warm, gentle songs like 'Lada', which has a jazzy feel to it. In fact, it's the exact opposite of follower 'To The Wall' which thrives of pure electronica. Here, Tricky comes to mind, another trip hop legend. But, Monophona just seems to do it better. Better than Tricky, better than Lamb, almost as good at Massive Attack. How's that for a compliment?
And I mean it. In all, 'Girls On Bikes, Boys Who Sing' is an exciting piece of electronic pop music and a definite highlight in the trip hop scene. The 'Folsom Prison Blues' is a nice cover of Cash's original while the other tracks stand out in sheer quality. No, my friends, take it from me, Monophona has the ability to become a huge act but in a way I hope they maintain their intimate approach. Recommended? Almost as much as breathing...
Now I'll go dance to 'I Will Be Wrong' for a while. What a song....
Serge
The album ight open kinda weird and unusual but once 'Courage' is fully on its way, you immediately get immersed in this beautiful world Monophona has created. The link with acts like Lamb is easily made, but even in the world of trip hop, Monophona has their own sound, a sound I like very much. 'Courage' is trip hop pur sang, and excellent teaser for what is about to come. In the nineties, this song would have been a huge hit. Today, it should too.
Then comes 'Tick Of A Clock' which might be one of the most aggressive trip hop tunes I've ever heard. Björk's 'Army Of Me' comes to mind, certainly its heavy and in your face approach. Yet, what I also notice is how coherent and attuned Monophona has become. Once this act started out as an experiment, but now they are a full fledged band with a convincing and organic sound. The songwriting has improved, exactly like the execution.
Another band that often comes to mind, is Bee and Flower, especially in warm, gentle songs like 'Lada', which has a jazzy feel to it. In fact, it's the exact opposite of follower 'To The Wall' which thrives of pure electronica. Here, Tricky comes to mind, another trip hop legend. But, Monophona just seems to do it better. Better than Tricky, better than Lamb, almost as good at Massive Attack. How's that for a compliment?
And I mean it. In all, 'Girls On Bikes, Boys Who Sing' is an exciting piece of electronic pop music and a definite highlight in the trip hop scene. The 'Folsom Prison Blues' is a nice cover of Cash's original while the other tracks stand out in sheer quality. No, my friends, take it from me, Monophona has the ability to become a huge act but in a way I hope they maintain their intimate approach. Recommended? Almost as much as breathing...
Now I'll go dance to 'I Will Be Wrong' for a while. What a song....
Serge
