(Big Records/Rajon)

The follow-up album from the Benassi Bros sees them explore more melodic, trance-like territory, strongly grounded with their usual electro flavour and a spicy array of vocal talent.

It’s been three years since Benny Benassi burst into the music scene winning dancefloors the world over with the stinging bassline and filtered vocodered madness of the electro-punk trash anthem “Satisfaction”. Moving on from his career as a solo producer he is currently collaborating with his cousin Alle Benassi. Together as the Benassi Bros they released their first album Pumphonia, which was heralded as only a mild success. The follow up to this album is the recently released Phobia.

There’s always a fork in the road when the time comes to produce that most difficult second album. Do you stick with the elements that served your success previously and re-arrange them slightly in order to capitalise on past dues, or do you stroll the lonely streets originality and diversity and risk being robbed for all you’re worth? The album sits on the fence. They bring together some of the successful elements of the past, but also introduce a whole other dimension not previously heard by the Benassi fan club.

The album begins with their latest single “Make Me Feel”. The first noticeable element is the use of that stinging “Satisfaction”. The vocals here are by Italian born Daniela Galli (Dhany). Her vocal are talents are vast and expansive and the accompanying trance-like melodic elements of the track add a rich depth to Dhany’s vocals. The single has seen much success the world over, appearing on numerous compilation and being flogged by globally respected Dj’s from numerous genres. Dhany also lends her vocals to “Every Single Day”. The tune sways towards the melodic electro-trance tip, pioneered by the Benassi Bros. The Bros really build the mix; the zappy mid-track melody is lush and vocals are glued to the bassline flawlessly. The only thing here is the vocal is very full-on. Trance Dj’s following in the steps of Signum and Airway take note, this one is for you!

Keeping with the trance vibe; Dhany is given some time on the bench, making way for the vocalist Sandy. Perfectly concocted raw drums combine with a new fresh sounding Benassi-bouncing-bassline and masterfully lightly vocodered vocals to produce “Light”. It’s a less tougher track than the previous two, and more uplifting. The vocals are lush and emotional telling an epic tale, the longest track on the album, it’s a personal favourite. Sandy also compliments the dirty house treat that is “Movin’ Up”. The track throws together the old “Satisfaction” bassline, works the hi-hats, loops a basic vocals and throws some haphazard chords over the top. This is a real club track suited to the floors of nightclub.

The third female vocalist included in the album in Naan. Her work in “Rocket In The Sky” is questionable as her vocals are heavily vocoded. This track is bound to be one of the most successful on the album. It’s got the cliché vocal, the obvious trance-like chords, the dubbed electro-riff and a childish, fun vibe. Expect this one on commercial airwaves shortly. Naan also lends her vocals to “Feel Alive”. The introduction has a Binary Finary feel to it, the vocals sing about something, a guitar is used to build the intro into body much like “Movin’ Up”, but more on the melodic tip.

“Castaway” is another track that uses the vast talents of Sandy’s vocals. The teasing of the old favourite “Satisfaction” bassline works well as the track builds into a catchy concoction tough melodic electro-house goodness. This track is the successor of “Satisfaction”. Check it out! Picking up the pace the Benassi Bros hit us with “Waitin’ For You”. The tune takes tentative steps into techy territory, but still retains the Benassi Bros new-found trance-like melodies. The black sheep of the album is the heavy metal inspired “Ride To Be My Girl”; big loud guitars and a stinging looped electro-riff make this only mildly successful.

Dhany is brought back for the closing track “Run To Me”. The bassline is drawn out, the vocals a masterfully cut, pasted and looped and are the most catchy of the entire album. The jazzy melodies chords and filtered sweltering strings build the track to all its glory, and we are left with a feeling of satisfaction!