I’m A Boy, He’s A Girl
An amazing 8 track album from the brilliant Now Voyager. For those that don’t know em, check out the interview we did with them a few months ago. Now Voyager are a duo that combine amazing vocals with electro beats, backed up by a cracking guitar laden with effects. I’ve seen them live a few times and they always make a brilliant impression on the room. I’m a big fan.
The album kicks off in a style suited to their brilliant stage show. Dollar” is in yer face straight away. Great bass, great sampling (nice nod to all Robocop fans), great vocal and great guitar with a plethora of effects. I’ve heard the song played live and the album track is equally as effective. Love it.
Animal blasts out like a track from an underground club somewhere. I think it’s a great dance track. The whole album has a great techno feel to it but the majority of the songs are more refined and steadier than most dance tracks. More heading towards Massive Attack, Future Sound Of London or Lamb. Creep is a great example, crunching through with a brilliant beat and some great vocals again.
I.O.U is a great retro sounding track with a fantastic bass line – starts off like Funky Cold Medina then morphs into an electro anthem with a glorious retro feel – a combination of La Roux and Orbital. Love it! We’re still under a heavy techno influence as we head into Red and Blue – “Make Me Into Anything You Want” is the impassioned plea. “Have A Little Faith and Take me In…” All sorts of influences, effects, beats, sounds – you name it… it’s complex and cheeky – like a Kraftwork / Hot Chip lovechild!
Lucy’s vocals continue to stand out – they ride over the various influences and make this a genuinely original and unique album. Now Voyager are unique full stop. The album hops into track 6, Stranger: an oriental bass line and an 80’s house beat click away whilst Lucy lays down some sensual, gorgeous vocal work.
“Heartstart” is another dance infused anthem that switches between mellow and angry. It features some beautiful backing keys (reminds me a bit of Sven Vath’s “Harlequin Plays Bells”) and more luscious vocal work backed brilliantly up by Dan’s effects laden guitar.
The album finishes with “When Will I?” – I’m still trying to find a comparison for Lucy’s voice but it’s really difficult – she’s a mixture of Gwen Stefani and Sinead O’Connor – some soft, some angry but always striking and instantly recognisable. It’s another low fi, trip hop inspired track with undertones of early Tricky and Portishead.
As you might have gathered, this kind of thing is right up my street. I’ve always been a massive supporter of underground dance and trip hop music and I genuinely can’t believe that the North East has it’s own ambassadors. Having seen Now Voyager perform live I was eagerly awaiting their first album release. After my fourth listen I’m smiling to myself. It’s original, exciting and beautifully crafted. Get yourself a copy. It’s brill!