Kissy Sell Out: Youth
Kissy Sell Out's debut album Youth
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Tuesday, 16, Jun 2009 12:35
Marrakesh Records/San City High, out June 15th.
In a nutshell...
Sassy, 80s-style, playful, nostalgic, synthesizer heaven
What's it all about?
Debut electro-pop album by DJ/producer/graphic designer/all-round whizz Kissy Sell Out, detailing his life growing up in Essex.
Who's it by?
Kissy is a Radio 1 DJ who is also well-respected on the club scene. With vocals from Danimal Kingdom.
As an example...
"We can meet up, run amok through the night/And we'll upset the crowd, drink and dance til we're dizzy."
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Fans of the 80s-type electro/indie clash sound will like it; whether it is mainstream enough to become a best seller is another story.
What the others say
"If you think retro sits on the right side of cool then listen out for Apple Jelly, which reminds me of classic synth/pop of the Pulp/Blur era." - Lauren John, Music.co.uk
"A fun, summery album compiled of fizzy, poppy lyrics and multi-coloured, trendy breaks and beats that should quite rightly leave Calvin Harris quaking in his size nines." - Livemusic.fm
(On single This Kiss) "Playful and energetic... not something we'll be able to ignore." - Ella Marule, Daily Tube
So is it any good?
Flashes of electronic brilliance that will get crowds all in a tizz are interspersed with Lily Allen-esque teenage observations on life. Many of the bleeps and synthesised riffs sound a little like they were composed on a Casio keyboard, no doubt a reference to the golden age of electro - the 80s - when Kissy lived his misspent youth.
Although a good album, you get the feeling these songs would be even better performed live. Some of the technical wizardry of Kissy is lost in translation without the accompanying flashing lights/sweaty crowd/inebriation that makes seeing a live DJ one of the best experiences around.
The first single, This Kiss, is a catchy, happy-go-lucky affair, while instrumental Harriet is a bit of a stomper with plenty of fuzzy bass and some crazy synth combinations. Overall this is a mixed bag with lots of good parts, although ravers expecting a full-on dancefest may be disappointed. Fans of the 80s revival will love it.
7/10
Jamie Price