Infusing the pop end of electronic music with a classy adroit touch, and dare I say, a certain sophisticated maturity; Pati Yang‘s alluring vocals and effective dance floor credentials, once again set pulses racing.
Following her last successful, and highly infectious, EP, Wires And Sparks, this latest four-track spread is a suffused assortment of dreamy Euro-techno ballads; broody prowling, smoke machine laments; and surely protest. All of which, thankfully, avoid the usual euphoric Eastern-European synth and trance music cliches.
The title-track, Hold Your Horses, features Yang’s gilded and laid-bare tones aching wearingly over a reverent organ opening and cluttered drum beats backing that pulsates and picks-up speed until delivering a summer anthemic rush. Upping the tempo and thump factor, Darling is closer to the motoring electro of Soulwax; and when Yang’s sexy pouting yearnings enter the fray, turns into a blast of the Sneaker Pimps.
Revolution Baby is however a more perplexing prospect. The Polish chanteuse usually displays that trembled heart of hers on the proverbial sleeve, but this methodical recited anthem isn’t so easy to read. Pondering between social solidarity and resignation, Yang reads out her cryptic commentary lyrics with a sense of missed opportunity and sighing scepticism: “All the innocence of youth/ kissed goodbye with so much joy and pride/ I was there to take the photographs of the inside of her head/ Solid gold/ beautifully engraved.”
Finally, Kiss It Better,ends on a more lush and orthodox Balearic trance-y note; Yang at her most natural amplifying pain and forgiveness.
Pati Yang’s sophomore EP is a further extension of her last, though personally I believe the weaker. On both accounts, the upcoming LP (released sometime in December) looks certain to be a felicitous and spirited hit.
17/09/2012
[Rating:3.5]
