One-Two - Love Again (album) - Fine Records
Coming on with a combination of 60s pop and the cool backing of Air or Hot Chip, One-Two provide much to sing and dance about on their “Love Again” album. With their French vocals adding a slight tongue in cheek feel to proceedings (is this prevalent in France or has Eurotrash and Antoine De Caunes ruined an accent for an entire generation for UK citizens?), there is a kitschy sound that would see this album declared “groovy” by all the hep cats of the 1960s.
No more so does the lightweight throwaway pop sound abound than on “Emma Needs A Love Song” and its strutting acoustic guitar and cooing backing vocals. With a chorus to swoon for, this track is an early standout but appears to be as much a pastiche or tribute as a song in its own right.
The album doesn’t change much throughout; “Pretty-Pretty” perhaps takes the darkest route and its up-tempo guitar stabs and threatening bass lines (reminiscent of “Juicebox” by The Strokes) stand out from the rest of the softly delivered output. Reassuringly though, the chorus doesn’t betray its pop leanings and its “Pretty Boys…pretty girls” gets to the heart of every great pop song. Similar to Soulwax singing in English, the vocals have a twang and naivety to them that allows simple lines to sparkle whereas in the hands of an English accent may be strangled with irony.
Their nods to pop influence even extends to their inlay booklet, where in the manner of Blur, not only do they include the lyrics but also the chords of the song allowing the listener to play and sing along if they so wish. There is an element of pop for all from the duo and this approach ties in neatly.
There is an impression that if Nouvelle Vague recorded original material as opposed to offering up intriguing covers, their sound would sound a lot like One-Two. The female vocals on the pleasant closing track “The End Of Your Song” certainly bring this act to mind and overall, there is no great sense of who One-Two are but their influences and heroes come shining through loud and clear.
It may be tongue in cheek and parody but even if the duo is 100% genuine in their light Euro-pop manner, it never rises or dips below alright. It’s a clever concept well executed but there just isn’t enough great songs to make it all worthwhile and it appears as an opportunity wasted. Feel free to come back stronger anytime though guys.
6/10
Released on 24th July by Fine Records
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