The explosion in recent years of drum ‘n’ bass and dubstep into the mainstream has brought with it both good things and not-so-good things. More publicity brings popularity which brings new artists which brings expansion of the genre. However, mainstream success inevitably comes hand-in-hand with the appropriation process (completed when Britney utilised the genre for ‘Femme Fatale’). With solid poppy and liquid acts filling the charts, and a strong club scene of heavier, jungle, and techy DJs, Romay’s ‘Playing With Sound’ is likely to become lost in the mix.
The Asian fusion aspect of his style adds something unique and, at times, beautiful; Nona Kalra’s vocals from Sanja Tere Bin and Sapna and the use of traditional instruments on ‘Heritage’ are the stand-out examples. The majority of the sampling and singing, though, is not up to scratch. Frequently, the samples seem under-edited, and over-used, and some are simply very irritating – the tune of the vocal on ‘Looking At You’ is like something a child might make up and then sing on repeat all day long.
It is hard to tell what Romay’s intentions were when writing the album. Attempts to write heavier tunes miss the mark – Time Is Now sounds like a comedy parody of the genre, with cheesy samples that aren’t quite funny, blarting beats, and that horrible womp-womp sound that dubstep DJs often mistake for heavy.
Romay’s strengths lie in his ability to use his Asian influences to great effect, and in his liquid drum ‘n’ bass songs. The album’s highlights are Saahvan and Sapna, both with lifting, swirling vocals and slower paced. These two tracks use simple, gentle beats to frame and showcase the soft singing, and sound like the work of a talented DJ who understands the power of understatement.
Were the thick, raspy noises reined in and the samples given more thought, this album could have been much better.
- Romay - 1 January 2012
- Is Tropical - 22 November 2011
- Like a Stuntman - 20 November 2011