Here’s what I like about Chromeo; outmoded elements of funk, disco, R&B and pop re-purposed to make us dance. Unwrapping this new album, however, left me as unfulfilled and frankly a little turned off.
As a big fan of the work of Toro Y Moi, I loved ‘Come Alive’ when it landed a month or two ago. Just the right amount of cheese for a single (which is what the self-styled Funk Lordz push, let’s face it), but the care-free fun soon wore thin. Why? Well, the Youtube top comment on that video sums it up…
“Thumbs up if you heard this on the Robinsons advert (UK)”
While their music has been playing everywhere from beer adverts to burger joint adverts for some time, Chromeo are definitely on the cusp of a brand new something. Something they deserve.
The first few bars of ‘Jealous (I Aint’ With It)’ are the kind that makes me change stations without even noticing. The single gets better, but as an album opener it’s indicative of what’s to come. I quickly realised that this was not to be my top release from Dave 1 and P-Thugg.
The lyrics have shifted from coy to corny (read: creepy) and the production feels photocopied rather than 3D printed. I find myself contemplating the message behind the music too, and like Nigel Tufnell regarding sexism claims over Smell The Glove, I’m confused. I came to dance, not debate.
Missed opportunities, the organ trills and ambient motifs on ‘Over Your Shoulder’ stood out as flat and ineffectual (compared to say ‘My Girl Is Calling Me (A Liar)’ from 2007′s Fancy Footwork). ‘Sexy Socialite’ and ‘Frequent flyer’ make better use of the each individual element in the bag, but then neither track speak to me in any meaningful way.
The chorus of ‘Play the Fool’ reminds me of ‘Come Alive’ again, and it’s just as catchy. ‘Hard To Say No’, with it’s keyboard stabs and guitar-plus-scatting Jimmy Dludlu stylings, is probably my favorite off the album. Subtle lyrics and a little more depth, again with ‘Ezra’s Interlude’ (featuring Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend). Nothing tacky going on here.
‘Come Alive’ (Featuring Toro Y Moi)
“Thumbs up if you heard this on the Robinsons advert (UK)” – evertonfan6666
Chromeo never make any bones about their inspirations, the evidence is always left at the scene. For example, compare ‘Call me up’ (also from Fancy Footwork) to Rick James’ track of the same name from his classic Street Songs album.
White Woman strikes me as a push forward rather than a look back. Sure, ‘Old 45s’ encapsulates this concept, no arguments there, but Daft Punk’s somewhat recent Random Access Memories explored and reinvented outmoded sounds in a way that Chromeo overlooked.
‘Somethinggood’ sounds like Chromeo should. It’s terrific (especially the last quarter), but it’s mere padding as the frame becomes more interesting than the painting. That said, the second half of the album is definitely better overall, and the wonderful (if a little understated) strings on ‘Fall Back 2U’ confirm this – A great album closer.
The album feels like their most commercial venture (which is not their first and not the problem) but also feels phoned-in (which IS the problem). Of course the duo and their collaborators have put a lot of love and care into this production, and taken with a pinch of salt, White Woman will likely grow on me – I just hope it does not sully their previous releases which never fail get me on my feet.
