ReCoup’s ‘Remind You’ begins slowly, with softly sung lyrics backed by earnest, echoing guitars and piano, and at first seems not a million miles away from the likes of Simple Minds’ ‘Belfast Child’. The dance beats and distinctly mid-90s sounding synths that soon interject are not quite enough to completely deflect this first impression, though there is enough to suggest that stadium rock is but one of the influences on their work. Mogwai, for example, are suggested as reference points in the band’s paraphernalia, but so then are U2 and they most definitely lean more towards the latter than the former. This overall sound on this release is reminiscent in fact, of the Irish band’s Achtung Baby-era remixes. Weakly punned back-up track ‘ThunderGROUND’ marches at least three quarters of the way through as an atmospheric if unexciting, instrumental exercise, before the similarly quiet vocals of singer Pieter Theron eventually segue into the mix, briefly accompanying the digital bleeps and programmed drums.
The music on this single has been assembled well enough but has resulted in songs that are neither exciting nor distinct. Though doubtless the band would prefer to be commended first and foremost for their sound, it has to be said that the most interesting thing about this CD is the packaging – full marks for the use of a recycled crisp packet as the sleeve. If the same can’t be said for the music, at least this is innovative, interesting, and environmentally friendly.
