Catchy Synth Pop
It’s been 5 years since the release of their debut album and Winchester-based electro pop band Scarlet Soho seem to have grown a tighter and more refined sound that has shed a little of their previous darkness, but multiplied the fizzy intensity of the tunes. ‘Analogue Dialogue’ sounds like a hybrid of The Sounds’ successful 80’s synth pop sound with glitzy electro sounds and a bright, funky melody.
‘Cyclone’ with its catchy verse of, “You don’t fuck because you make love, but it hurts you all the same” is probably a highlight as the fairly monotone vocals mingle with the trippy sound textures driven on by sharp percussion. Meanwhile the vocal harmonies of ‘This Nausea’ are especially retro, but the tune itself perhaps outstays its welcome due to its repetitive nature. ‘Under Strict Surveillance’ doesn’t fall victim to this problem, lasting just under two minutes but managing to impress all the same and keyboard notes ring over an instrumental line that’s simple but charming.
‘Warpaint’ sports a subtle mix of styles: ‘Speak Your Mind’ could be an 80’s dancefloor hit with a very memorable refrain and delicious mix of spiralling synths and forceful percussion while ‘Satellites’ is sweetly intimate and one of the more inspiring songs as it feels like it has a cohesive story, rather than simply a meaningless punchy melody.
Bonus track, ‘Modern Radio’ is one of the band’s older offerings but probably one of their finest with electric hooks and impassioned vocals that really seem to power the tune along at a frenetic pace. ‘Electric Fence’ sounds like a slightly aggressive version of Duran Duran but it’s equally impressive and more than worthy of a place in the main body of the album. The omission of these two strong tracks is slightly puzzling, but maybe it reflects the evolution of a band who are moving towards a more uniform sound, even if that does mean overlooking some of their previous top material.
‘Warpaint’ is a fun album, but the very fact that it’s so polished loses a little of the gritty character that Scarlet Soho used to have. If you’re looking for giddy 80’s synth pop then Scarlet Soho will have you dancing all night and ‘Warpaint’ offers plenty of variety.