What does it sound like?:
What’s this? You ask. Dave Ross reviewing a new album? If the world wasn’t crazy enough already in 2023 this is too much. Let me explain. It’s no secret that as a hobbyist music writer Pete Paphides is the writer I wish I could have been. Fair to say I’m a bit of a fanboy. I mean I’m not about to turn up at his house or turn my living room into a shrine like the guy from Alan Partridge but I love his writing style. His love of ABBA, encyclopaedic music knowledge (he once referenced King’s Taste Of Your Tears as a good thing. I know!) and his general niceness is all the more reason to love him. Broken Greek is the book I wish I could write weaving as it does personal stories with the music of the time. However, full disclosure here. On Twitter he’s been bloody relentless and not a little annoying about Iraina Mancini and her debut album on his Needle Mythology label. Anyway, out of interest as it clearly means a huge amount to Pete I gave it a listen. I mean it must be good if it’s got Pete’s name attached right?
Iraina is a striking young woman with as I discovered an incredibly listenable voice. It also turns out her father, Warren Peace, was a childhood friend of David Bowie’s who contributed to several of Bowie’s albums and tours. So she was raised around a broad range of music beyond her 34 years as again I was about to discover.
The first song Deep End has an incredible brass intro and becomes a driving, breathless opener in the style of Republica’s Ready To Go. It certainly got me interested. Iraina gives us a 90s vocal masterclass. Intense and dramatic. OK, I’m in.
Cannonball is more of the same putting me in mind of Garbage this time. I suspected this was where Iraina’s influence lies before I found out more about her. It’s an era that almost passed this 80s boy by but this song has that voice, guitars, organ, passion and plenty of hooks to drag me along.
Sugar High is a lovely shift in styles. Jazzy and dreamy. Iraina’s voice sounds amazing and my crazy brain is getting Olivia Newton John pre-Grease during the chorus. Imagine Olivia doing a Style Council or Blow Monkeys song and we’re there. The string arrangement is exquisite. This is absolutely lovely.
The title track is another smooth delicious piece of pop. I’m going back to Dusty now or Lenny Kravitz doing It Ain’t Over. In fact, such is the range displayed here there it goes from those unlikely sisters Swing Out and Shakespears. It has a fabulous crescendo moment, harmonies and swoon. Some song this.
Do It (You Stole The Rhythm) and we’re back in the 90s with a baggy rhythmed slightly underwhelming song only elevated by Iraina’s voice. Maybe it’s a grower, a slow burner lost in an inferno.
My Umbrella has more than enough hooks for any one song. It’s the Astrud Gilberto moment. Even my old hips are moving (in their own time but moving none the less). I need a hot day, a fast car and an open road to seal the deal on this song. Ooh it’s very good.
Shotgun could be the theme to a smart 60s / 70s detective thriller. It’s no Shaft but it has that smokey late, hot New York night vibe. If Netflix don’t start developing Shotgun on the back of this then they’re not really trying. If Regé-Jean Page doesn’t get Bond somebody send him this song.
What You Doin’? Annoys me in a good way. I’m failing because there’s a 70s glam song in there that wants its groove back and I can’t bloody get what song it is. Suzi Quatro maybe? Showaddwaddy? Can someone help? I am also afraid that What You Doin’? the monster earworrm it is will be rattling round my head at 2 am denying me sleep. Especially if I can’t find what it reminds me of.
Need Your Love is, surprise surprise, a love song with a feel of a Bond theme. A great showcase for Iraina’s vocal range but doesn’t really get going until a lovely spoken section. I will grow to love it I’m sure. Just needs more listens.
In a flash we are at the last song Take A Bow. Come on Iraina let’s finish on a high. She goes back to the 60s again. Join her and float on a gorgeous ride through the great chanteuse of our time. Pick out the voice of your choice it’s in there somewhere. Take A Bow Indeed
What does it all *mean*?
I’d seen so much about this album on Twitter that it had become like white noise. I came to it with quite a bit of negativity. Come on then, prove you’ve worth all the fuss. I should have trusted Pete. This is something very special that I wouldn’t have listened to without the relentless plugging. Maybe this is the album that will prove to me that despite me being so entrenched musically there is other stuff out there for me. New stuff. You know that special place you always wanted to go but just couldn’t bring yourself to Dave? It’s right here now go and find some more. Cheers Pete. And Iraina obviously.
Goes well with…
Anything really. It’s the sort of album you could put on anywhere and it will lift yours and the mood of anyone listening. Dare I mention Sade here?
Release Date:
18th August
Might suit people who like…
Female voices. There’s no Adele bellow here. I’ve referenced a few artists but I’m sure you’ll find more.
Somebody help me. What does this sound like?
Iraina Mancini – What You Doin’
Sounds a bit like Goldfrapp goes glamrock which she did in fact do but this is a bit more rock.
My first thought was Goldfrapp as well….
I like this – I shall rush out and buy the album! Cheers, Dave!
It’ll be no surprise that I don’t really know Goldfrapp but I’ll track some down. Maybe I heard it and it registered somehow…
Well as a synth pop man you might find it hits the spot, some of it at least.
Try Black Cherry and Supernature first, then try Alison’s just-released solo album, The Love Invention. All cracking synthpop.
Is that Kitty Durham on harmonica, in the vid?
That’s her, innit?
I didn’t like the brash brickwall-y production on that and it’s not remotely my kind of thing, but she’s good and deserves to do well.
As a change of styles try the title track Mike.
‘Warren Peace’ is David Bowie’s childhood, and subsequently lifelong, friend and sometime collaborator Geoff McCormack, fact fans. No eyes were injured in this friendship.
I approve very much of Needle Mythology as a concept* so, as a show of support, I ordered this blind. It’s coming this afternoon, apparently.
(*) If I had a record label, it’s pretty much what I’d do.
To be honest Dave it sounds like I’ve heard it all before.
On the radio.
I think, on reflection, that’s my take on it.
’90s-generic material, which is where a lot of white pop seems to be stuck at present.
She could be doing something more interesting.
Yebbut, you’re not really the target audience, are you Mike? You’re more of a “Jazzbo Hepcat Shades and Beret at night snapping your fingers (“snat!”) to hard-bop” kinda guy…
…and the Baron is “something else”, as the kids say…
Having said that, I suspect old proggers like myself are nobody’s target audience these days…☹️
Is there enough of a target audience for this kind of white pop any more?
“The kids” seem to be listening to/streaming blacker stuff than this nowadays.