- See all the Ratings
- Add my Rating now
The first time I managed to catch Sneaky Sound System was at Sydney University in early 2007 and to my surprise at the time, they were amazing. Since then, the band have traveled the world, released several chart-toppers and made us all believe in UFOs. Their new album, aptly titled 2, feels like the missing half of their self-titled debut. But not necessarily the better half.
Nonetheless the album still pumps out some very chart-friendly tracks, such as the opener and their latest release, Kansas City. Although not a song that demands attention to its lyrics, it does require some mind bending interpretation. “On the figure of eight, you can catch me and you wouldn’t choose.” I appreciate the fact that they are clearly sticking to what works: the same style of electro-pop that made us feel happy and giddy while we were shaking it on the dancefloor. The album doesn’t try to be any more than poppy fun, with plenty of quotable lines and catchy hooks.
Writer/producer Angus McDonald, aka Black Angus, works with Spike Stent (think Madonna and Gwen Stefani) on this album. It features a lot more Connie and her playful harmonies, which is good, but a lot less variety, which is a little disappointing. Where is Double D this time? Though, as most of us know, Connie is one super lady. Her quirky robot dance moves and (puffy) dress sense accompanies a voice that makes everything sound so chocolate smooth and complete.
Track 8 Don’t Get You is probably one of the standouts. It has the same popping melodies that make artists like The Knife so recognisable. It’s a cheeky song that bounces all over room and probably the only one that makes me want to bounce with it. Following on, I Want Everything stands out as the next potential big release. The album ends with a rather mellow Where Do I Begin. Here, Connie manages to display her vocal character in an unusual way. Her surprisingly raspy tones are still controlled but she seems to relax into the song a little more.
While this album is happy to ‘copy and paste’ from its predecessor, and does so successfully, that approach may not carry through to a third album.
2 is out now on Whack Records.
