When you need a little variation to your electronica, sometimes it is good to go with the weird. Nothing about the new EP from Bonjay, Broughtupsy, screams "conventional." The Canadian duo blew any expectations I had out of the water with the very first song. I wasn't quite sure what I'd be getting into with a picture of a thoughtful black girl and hipsterish white guy, but it certainly wasn't what Broughtupsy turned out to be.
'Broughtupsy" is something special
From the get-go, I learned that Broughtupsy was going to be special. With only 6 tracks, the EP didn't have a lot of time to impress but it turns out, it didn't even need that. Broughtupsy puts its strongest foot first with "Stumble," a loud and forceful electro dancehall track. Singer Alanna has a deep and captivating voice, and even if her singing style is akin to mumbling, it doesn't matter; production by Pho keeps you moving and focused on Alanna at the same time. What "Stumble" manages to be is a simple and incredibly effective statement that Bonjay is not your typical group, and they are offering you something different than what you typically listen to.
What is the rest of 'Brouhtupsy' like?
The rest of the EP is no different, ranging from the hysterical drama and shrieking vocals of "Frawdulent" to the laid-back groove and lazy vocals of "Creepin'." Broughtupsy gives you breathing time between extremes, with the fuzzy and minimal "Short Hours" being full of breathing room. Hard to latch on to, the minute and-a-half track gives an odd combination of tribal grunts and sporadic vocals before dropping into the catchy beat of "Want A Gang." You'll be tempted from the opening thuds to move your body. Give in, it feels good. No different from "Shotta" which also tempts you with crafty beats and production.
Summary
Broughtupsy is a fantastic introduction to a new wave of electronica, bringing dancehall beats into the genre in a fresh and engaging way. As an EP, it does its job of giving you a killer set of songs to represent a group, and very little here actually disappoints. "Stumble" remains the best song, but "Shotta" pulls a tight second. Definitely check this out.
Released October 2010 on Mysteries Of Trade.
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