Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Hana

[kaushik]

It's a grower... give it some time (and patience).

There's something very Depeche Mode about this - and not just the bass-synth. Even the vocal melody sounds like it's inspired by Dave Gahan's melodies. Sophie should get them to remix this (and have Dave do some backing vocals on it), if that's possible.

 

[Subspace]

I don't know what changed the standard mixing-wise in the industry over the past 2 or so years... but I do not like it.

 

[Island]

I agree that the production in the chorus can pack a bigger punch with the mixing, but I really do like this.

 

[P'NutButter]

I don't know what changed the standard mixing-wise in the industry over the past 2 or so years... but I do not like it.

It feels like songs mainly get mixed now to sound good through small speakers (on a laptop/tablet or phone) because of streaming.

 

[Voicething]

I think this will be the first album of hers I won’t buy. It pains me to say it because I’m a huge fan, but this sound has become so stale. Every song she puts out I feel like I’ve already heard it.

 

[magictreehouse]

Oh this is WAY more like it!

 

[kaushik]

Heard this in Hi-Res. Definitely sounds infinitely better than Spotify!

 

[believeagain]

This sounds like a cute demo.

 

[JakeXo]

Everything Is Sweet is great, fully-formed and gorgeous. Are people seriously rebelling already because she's not giving gay synths two singles in?

 

[CatastropheBoy]

Enjoying this too, shaping up to be a strong album.

 

[Voicething]

Everything Is Sweet is great, fully-formed and gorgeous. Are people seriously rebelling already because she's not giving gay synths two singles in?

For me it’s just I feel like her sound has been stagnating for a while. The production has become a bit tired and her last few eras have all blended into one for me, sonically. It hasn’t got anything to do with lack of synths, at least to me. Look at Aly & AJ’s recent records, that’s how to do it!

Obviously this is just me voicing personal disappointment - I’m glad there’s a good lot of people who are enjoying it and hope it’s successful for her.

 

[Nunya B]

I think that the production does let these songs down and keep them from being what they could be (as with parts of Familia) but the songwriting is stronger than before – elevated, with interesting lyrical and melodic choices.

 

[bestinase]

I think her voice would suit some icy cold electronica really well but, I mean, she has eased firmly into 40+ homosexuals and mums demographic so there's never going to be any creative risks moving forward. Imagine her on this for fucks sake my wig!

 

[ridesebastian!]

WHY.

 

[Nunya B]

“Hypnotized” is less than a year old so it’s not like there’s no hope left. I’m choosing to believe that with the conclusion of the trilogy there will be an opportunity to lean into other styles and she will take that opportunity.

 

[Celestial Mosaic]

I was expecting something truly messy based on some of the reactions here, but it's a perfectly solid affair? Is it going to become one of her classics, no, but it's a bop nevertheless.

 

[alwaysdarkinlunapark]

If this is a trilogy, then to my ears, based on the two tracks so far, it's shaping up to be the best of the three.

I'm still expecting some synths on some of the tracks.

 

[New Flame]

I was expecting something truly messy based on some of the reactions here, but it's a perfectly solid affair? Is it going to become one of her classics, no, but it's a bop nevertheless.

Agreed.

I don't hear the production quality issues.

'Breaking The Circle' was a grower, but after the remix and seeing/hearing it live in Brussels, I really love it. 'Everything Is Sweet' is instant and 'Hana' is shaping up to be the best Sophie/Ed album.

'Hypnotized' is still better than both songs though.

 

[Robbietoxic]

I mean it's no Hypnotized but this is a really lovely track which is so Sophie. This could be on pretty much any of her albums to this point I think (maybe not Wanderlust) and that's a good thing. I actually think it really has some of the things I loved from the album tracks of Read My Lips.

 

[Wallow]

Oh I like this one! They could turn the synths up though. It feels like her team is afraid to pop off and everything just ends up middling.

Edit: ddd also does that video even qualify as a Visualiser? It's a glorified gif stop lying to us.