Friday, May 23, 2014

'Do It Again' by Röyksopp & Robyn EP Review

Robyn is the Swedish dance artist that has crafted the most beautiful pop melodies for the past decade, giving us the epitome of pop perfection with songs like 'Dancing On My Own' and 'With Every Heartbeat'. Teaming up with the production duo Röyksopp, this Scandinavian trio are a match made in heaven. Between Robyn's voice and the duo's out of this world lush landscapes, their Do It Again EP is a gift from the heavens. While we get more Röyksopp than Robyn, this is one of the biggest pop releases of the year, and will no doubt top the Best Of lists.

1. Monument - 9/10

Starting off the EP is a track that is massive, coming in at 10 minutes and exploring so many different sounds that the entirety of the EP has to offer. With an extended intro and outro, the scene is set over a largely electronic beat with Robyn speaking in a very steady flat voice. She drifts in and out of the piece, reminding us that this is a true collaboration. Röyksopp's beats take over and clamors into a large percussion section permeated by a wallowing, breathy sax that only adds to the ambient nature. It never really goes anywhere, but it's far more intricate than you hear in most pop music.

2. Sayit - 8/10

'Sayit' was preceded by an H&M fashion film not more than a few days ago, characterized by disillusioning and confusing looping. This one is an electronic track that relies heavily on a dizzying amount of repetition. Once again Robyn's voice is barely heard, but a robot takes over channeling the futuristic sound that this collab is going for. Robyn vocally goes for a Björk approach here which results in a chilling product.

3. Do It Again - 10/10

What else can I say about this track that I already haven't? This song may just be my most played song of 2014 so far. It's what you think of when you think "pop perfection" with the pulsating beats, and declarative anthem of a chorus. Despite its simplicity in that area, 'Do It Again' remains that ceaseless listening song that will never get old no matter how many times I play it. You want divine perfection? This is it.

4. Every Little Thing - 10/10

Even though 'Do It Again' is the perfect pop song, the first time I heard 'Every Little Thing' I fell in love. Upon the first listen chills coursed through my body, and I knew that this was going to be good. Dialing down a few notches from its predecessor, 'Every Little Thing' takes a slow-burning approach infecting every inch of your subconscious with tantalizing melodies and a catchy chorus. Every note of this production is perfection. I may have even shed a few tears.

5. Inside the Idle Hour Club - 8/10

Rounding out the EP is another ten minute track, but this time it's all Röyksopp. Robyn is nowhere to be found among the lush landscapes and ear worm production. It rises and falls, moving in and out of this realm. It's like a pair of extraterrestrial angels have captured the sounds of the various universes and are moving us in and out of them, giving us glimpses of the beautiful music being made that we've never heard. If you didn't know who Röyksopp were before, now you'll never forget them.

Overall Rating: 9/10

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