Album Review
Hannah Cohen - Pleasure Boy
4 Stars‘Pleasure Boy’ is a record deserving of widespread acclaim.
When your first track comes with a refrain of “tell me her name, tell me her name”, you know you’re in for something visceral, impacting and lyrically striking. This is a record just brimming with ideas, ‘Lilacs’ features arpeggiating synths and sparse percussion, and operatic textures, before the piano balladry of ‘Watching You Fall’, which plays on a piano chord progression that nods to Frida Hyvönen, and shows off the range of Cohen’s vocal, a remarkably clear, bright delivery that’s consistently excellent.
The sheer range of ideas on this record put Cohen in great stead – ‘Fake It’ is punctuated by a slithering bass-line that wouldn’t sound out of place in post-dubstep, yet, the ticking hi-hats and deep, rich string instrumentation keeps the track on an even, pop keel. ‘Clairemont Song’ is a track that constantly builds and teases something bigger, but ultimately shows beauty in restraint, before ‘Queen of Ice’s bass-heavy synths give way to something altogether more jazzy in the chorus. This is gorgeously arranged, cerebral pop music, with superlative production. Everything is crisp and precise – every note, snare hit and contour of Cohen’s vocals are an exact science, yet the songs are structurally unpredictable.
This is a captivating record; a studied, precise and explorative showcase of songwriting, equal parts accessible and experimental. It’s ominous, dark even, at the right times and bright in others. ‘Pleasure Boy’ is a record deserving of widespread acclaim.
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Hannah Cohen gets real with new ‘Fake It’ track
Song is taken from the forthcoming ‘Pleasure Boy’ LP on Bella Union.
19th February 2015, 12:00am
Hannah Cohen - Child Bride
3-5 Stars
‘Child Bride’ is for those who want Lana Del Rey without all the Hollywood plastered gloss.
3rd May 2012, 10:05am
Hannah Cohen: ‘I Curl Up In My Room And Play For Hours’
Tina Turner, longing for respect and unicorn tears.
29th March 2012, 8:41am
With Bob Vylan, St Vincent, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine and more.