Spins: Album reviews

Miss Kitten & the Hacker – Two

Artist: Miss Kitten & the Hacker
Title: Two
Label: Nobody’s Bizness
Genre: Electronica/Breakbeat/Pop

Miss Kitten & the Hacker’s classic track “Frank Sinatra” is one of the most deliciously subversive tracks of the last ten years, making Miss Kitten an underground icon and ushering in the electroclash movement of the early 2000s. Kitten’s sexy deadpan delivery and the Hacker’s deep electro grooves became the template for the 80s influenced trend of the last decade and since that time both have gone onto separate careers as both DJs and artists. With Two, Miss Kitten & the Hacker are back together but don’t expect a retread of their debut First Album. The duo ditch the cold metallic funk of their debut for a warmer, sexier, and altogether more emotional sophomore release.

Never fear, Miss Kitten fans; the dark diva of electro has not gone soft on you! Two is still packed with enough techno delights to satisfy the diehards. Album standout “Pppo” is pure Miss Kitten with its rolling synths, clattering percussion and decadent refrain of “People. Pleasure. Objects. Power.” But many of the album’s best tracks combine an 80s techno sound and emotional pop vocals with astounding results. Songs like “Party In My Head”, “1000 Dreams”, and “Electronic City” contain catchy hooks over dramatic productions that sway and soar with layers of complex instrumentation.

Miss Kitten does more singing here than one might expect, and while it is still in her signature style, she sounds more vulnerable than of First Album. No where is this more apparent than on “Emotional Interlude” a striking masterpiece that juxtaposes Miss Kitten’s melancholy vocal over a Kraftwerk inspired breakbeat and airy effects. The track, along with most of the album, remembers to pay tribute to the euro dance traditions that came before while still remaining firmly in the present. With Two the truth is clear: In the world of electro-disco Miss Kitten & the Hacker still reign supreme.

- Sean Garnett

www.myspace.com/mkthmusic

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