Although often described as the decade that taste forgot, it seems no era is referenced and revived quite so much as the 1980′s. New Zealand’s Pip Brown makes no secret of this and her stage name is even inspired by a film starring 80′s staples Matthew Broderick and Rutger Hauer. Don’t let that put you off though, her debut as Ladyhawke represents energetic, danceable synth-pop in its most palatable form.
Between strident opener ‘Magic’ and dreamy closer ‘Morning Dreams’, this is a great pop album. Some songs, such as the throwaway ‘My Delirium’ work best on the dancefloor rather than record, ‘Another Runaway’ may sound like a homogenised 80′s disco pastiche and ‘Back Of The Van’ cries out for an accompanying Brat Pack film but the album isn’t always so shallow. ‘Better Than Sunday’ is set to compelling rhythms; as if Sneaker Pimps suddenly found a new singer whilst cool, robotic number ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ is worthy of Ladytron. Brown’s aching voice as well as her crafty songwriting is a joy, even if it does resemble Kim Wilde most closely.
Harsh critics would dismiss Ladyhawke for her shameless pilfering of a decade that had much to be ashamed of first time round but it’s so hook-heavy, it’s hard not be seduced. Indeed, Brown has provided the antidote to those who find other 80′s revivalists too austere to love.
Web Sites:
Ladyhawke Official Site
Ladyhawke MySpace
Further Listening:
Ladytron, Kim Wilde
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