 The Big Pink are hoping for an even brighter future than their debut ‘A Brief History of Love’ created. NME adore them, the kids seem to be creating a fuss so what could […] "'Pin It")
REVIEW: THE BIG PINK – FUTURE THIS
Recording new album ‘Future This’ over the summer of 2011, with acclaimed producer Paul Epworth (Adele, Florence + The Machine, Friendly Fires) The Big Pink are hoping for an even brighter future than their debut ‘A Brief History of Love’ created.
NME adore them, the kids seem to be creating a fuss so what could go wrong? Sadly, opening track and first single ‘Stay Gold’ is unashamedly mediocre; with tried-and-tested synth melodies and a cringey chorus, the London duo seem to have got off on the wrong foot. Thankfully second track ‘Hit the Ground (Superman)’ seems a little more hopeful (bar the Avril Lavigne style opening, complete with vinyl scratch) as the vocals pay homage to a more stylised approach a la Animal Collective. The chorus however, takes yet another poppier manner finished off with cheesy vocals. ‘Give It Up’ is a sultry number, with a brass ensemble introduction and some strings thrown in for good measure. It seems as though the album may be getting better with each tune.
‘The Palace’ shows off the duo’s talents of instrumentation; starting off slow and building to a clever mix of synths and drum machines. However, the lyrics let it down again due to their obvious metaphor use worthy of any 14-year-old emo – ‘Every day just like living in fiction, swimming in this endless ocean…’ ‘1313’ is the best offering of the album, with intelligent vocal placement and eclectic instrumentation that works.
The second half of the record seems to outdo the first, with the drum fuelled ‘Rubbernecking’ and experimental ‘Jump Music.’ However, ‘Lose Your Mind’ let’s them down again, sounding like a remixed B-Side to some early Backstreet Boys. Title track ‘Future This’ ironically sounds like something you’ve heard before, whilst last track ’77’ finishes off the album in an average fashion. Sadly, The Big Pink seem to have got that second album syndrome. Let’s hope that album number three will resuscitate the magic that ‘A Brief History of Love’ once generated.
Words: Sammy Maine
