Kaz Gamble and Sisely Treasure first hit the dance music radar under
their Cooler Kids guise and sent hits onto the Billboard dance charts
with "All Around The World (Punk Debutante)" and "Morning Star."
They've now returned under their boygirL alter ego with this
self-titled CD filled with Poppy/Punky leaning techno tracks. Though
occasionally dabbling in Hip-Hop and Classical musical influences
through the course of this release, the album is most prominently
dominated by a strong retro-New Wave feel overall, fitting in
comfortably with the current craze for all things Electro.
Starting with the uptempo brash and breezy popper "Catch Me," boygirL
keep the alternative electropop vibe going with other tracks like
"Krush," with its almost monotone inflection on the vocals contrasting
nicely with its crashing guitars and the singsong feel of the lyrics
of the verses, and the gentle, guitar-strummed angle taken on
"Stranded" which throws in a softer vocal delivery while still
providing a toughened beat track.
Tracks like "Take Me There," "So Famous," and "Roses" have more of a
Electro-synth dance feel to them with pulsing bleeps and stirring
beats that match nicely with Treasure's sweetly conveyed singing
style. The mournfully pretty "Beginning To End" slows things down and
allows for more of a focus on the trippy arrangement of muted synth
lines while "I Want You" is one of the few tracks where the Hip-Hop
and Classical influences are palpable with its leisurely rhythm and
understated string backdrop. "Last Breath" is similar in its
unhurried tempo but its drama comes in the form of squealing guitar
lines and shuddering keyboard lines while "Missing U" combines its
erratic beat arrangement with a quirkily structured vocal composition.
I actually find myself preferring Gamble and Treasure's work under
this new boygirL incarnation than I did to their previous Cooler Kids
collaboration, so it will be interesting to see which direction they
choose to pursue with forthcoming releases. But at least with this CD
they should please fans of the 80s New Wave sound who are looking for
new artists to follow as well as modern-day Electro fans who enjoy
their music with a strong melodic pop edge.
