Groove Armada - Black Light

When we heard English dance music stalwarts Groove Armada were going in an ominous-sounding “new direction”, we couldn’t help but raise a few eyebrows (or eyebrow in my case – it’s a bit of a monobrow if I’m honest). The first taster, Warsaw, didn’t float this reviewers boat, and the vaunted electro/pop band stylings that were promised seemed like too much of an obtuse jump.
 
I’m very glad to be proved wrong by this excellent album. A clutch of vocalists are spread across the album, giving a bit of consistency (rather than a different guest on each track), and the sound likewise has a steady feel (stadium-size electro/pop/rock with bright synths, live drumming and the reverb and delays present almost constantly).
 
Jess Larrabee’s sultry tones are a real revelation on this album, coming across like a more husky, soulful version of Fleetwood Mac’s female talents – and the album opener Look Me In The Eye Sister makes a strong a first impact as possible. Powerful and rousing, it says: this is our new sound, and if you don’t like it, you should probably leave now. Her second contribution, Just For Tonight is a seductive, slinky, melancholic kind of love song with tambourines and strummed guitars and cute synths all adding up to a deliciously Empire Of The Sun-like sound (admittedly a big influence on GA’s sound on this album).
 
Speaking of Empire Of The Sun, Nick Steele’s erstwhile sidekick in the project (and Pnau frontman) Nick Littlemore likewise makes four appearances. The strongest therein is Not Forgotten – exploding from humble beginnings into an epic, driving chorus full of arena aesthetics – and he displays a surprising range across his quartet of tracks. Within the context of the album, the shouty vocals and huge leads of Warsawwork better too.
 
Current Paper Romance should need little introduction, featuring our favourites Fenech Soler and former RGBs singer SaintSaviour – an immaculate electro-pop track with a huge chorus, moody verses and stunning synths. The male/female duet vocals have a real synergy about them too. Old codger Bryan Ferry drops in on the more subdued and warm Shameless, all breathy and quivering over its soft piano chords and pulsing pads, while Larrabee and SaintSaviour team up for Time & Space, combining dramatic Motown style belting with funk guitars and pounding drums and bass. Will Young, of all people, rounds off the album with a stunning performance on the Italo-disco groover History.
 
Their new sound may be very derivative, but they’ve pulled it off so well and with so much vigour – and crucially, great tunes and songs – that I couldn’t care less. This album demands to be listened to loud, and it makes for a refreshing and bold change from their patchy last album, Soundboy Rock. Their new direction will no doubt alienate some of their fans, but will also gain new ones at the same time, and will lend itself very well to energy-packed live shows. They’ve really nailed it.
 
 
Tracklisting:

Look Me In The Eye Sister Feat. Jess Larrabee
Fall Silent Feat. Nick Littlemore
Just For Tonight Feat. Jess Larrabee
Not Forgotten Feat. Nick Littlemore
I Wont Kneel Feat. SaintSaviour
Cards To Your Heart Feat. Nick Littlemore
Paper Romance Feat. Fenech Soler & SaintSaviour
Warsaw Feat. Nick Littlemore
Shameless Feat. Bryan Ferry
Time & Space Feat. SaintSaviour & Jess Larrabee
History Feat. Will Young