Alphabeat
The Spell (Polydor)
This camp and colourful Danish group offer up another slice of pure unadulterated pop, reveling in their flighty 90’s euro-pop guise making use of a host of sequencers and synths, harking back to a palatable retro dance vibe that takes its cue from the likes of TOTP regulars Blackbox & Snap and giving it a revamped enthusiasm, whilst generally partying like it’s 1992.
Treading similar territory as ‘Fascination’ and ‘Boyfriend’ Anders SG and Stine Bramsen re-ignite their exuberant personae, and with ‘The Spell’s theme of animal magnetism and attraction “You put a spell on me, I don’t know what to do, it’s an ability that drives me closer to you”, they once again share the flirty exchanges that have become centric to their charm and style.
Having previously shunned tour-spots with the likes of the Spice Girls and other arena filling acts, they instead opted to hone the sound of their self-produced second album and work their way up, employing an ethic rarely associated with modern pop acts, that proves refreshing in an age were every lowly so-called Popstar harbours delusions of grandeur and an unquenchable thirst for fame, whereby any musical involvement becomes no more than a means to a grubby end.
‘The Spell’ proves what fun’s to be had with a Casio keyboard, a sequencer, like-minded cohorts and trip down memory lane, it’s extremely heartening to see a group who embrace their chosen realm with such joy.
Craig Harkness
