The Understanding (Wall of Sound)
Chill-out music is a nefarious configuration of words intended to appeal to people who are too embarrassed to buy the Enya album they really want, and who end up settling for Brian Eno rip-off merchants such as Chicane.
The Norwegian duo Röyksopp were unfairly bracketed with these charlatans when they released their album Melody AM in 2002, a record that became a fixture in many twenty/thirtysomethings’ lives. Even then, Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge had more in common with the likes of Air and Daft Punk than the milky-tea brigade. Their bright, shiny house and electro had zest and spark, as evinced by the singles Eple and Poor Leno. To this gleaming mix they’ve now added a well-upholstered bottom end and, even better, some great songs.
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The success of Melody AM has emboldened Röyksopp, with the new tracks given time to build. After the lush plumpness of the opening track, Triumphant, The Understanding sparks into life with the shimmering electro disco of Only This Moment, with Brundtland and Berge’s vocals intertwined with the raspy loveliness of Kate Havnevik’s voice. There are at least two different choruses and the song sets high standards that Röyksopp do their best to match. 49 Percent, What Else is There? and Circuit Breaker are all magical dance anthems. But it’s on the monumental Alpha Male, a Livin’ on a Prayer for the post-Ecstasy generation, that Röyksopp finally confirm their status as dance music’s most thrilling act.
Paul Connolly