» Album review: Darin "Break The News"

I was quite suprised the first time I listened through “Break The News”. Okay, Darin said it would be experimental and include loads of guitars, synths and “crazy beats”, but after hearing “Perfect” I thought that was his idea of what’s experimental, which definitely don’t correspond mine. But I was pleasantly surprised – this album is both quite experimental and crazy! While I thought “The Anthem” pissed all over Darin’s second album “Darin”, I think he’s outdone both of them on this one. It’s more stylish, innovative and at the same time very chart-pop.

I really hope the Swedish people will make this a success, after “Perfect” didn’t quite sell as much as I, and the record company, thought it would. It slipped out of the top ten after only two weeks, and doesn’t seem to be getting back there. But then again; if Agnes could get to number one with the support of a Clea reject song, then Darin should with this.

The CD is beginning amazing. The intro of the first track “Insanity” is fantastic, and very different. It indicates that Darin is heading towards a new era with this album. With ghost similar male voices and disturbing drums you could almost think Timbaland had been in the recording studio. The next track, “Extra Ordinary Love”, is my personal favourite. It’s a collaboration between Max Martin and Robyn (what a dream team!), which clearly can’t be anything else than absolutely brilliant. It’s a crazy song which sounds really Robyn when you think about it. This would do great as a third single after the compulsory ballad which, assumingly, is the second.

“Perfect” is without doubts the most commercial song on the album, but it still suits well in its company. It might not be the super duper hit “Step Up” and “Money For Nothing” were, but it’s still really good. It’s also coming in perfectly after the more tentative tracks which opened the album. It’s also nice to have this song on the album, to be certain that Darin hasn’t given up on pure jolly pop music entirely. “Everything But The Girl”, which follows after “Perfect”, is also quite commercial. It’s a ballad, and a really, really good one. Personally I found “Why Does It Rain” and “Who’s That Girl” quite dull, but it’s with a pleasure I’m telling you all that he’s finally made a brilliant ballad! Though the production could’ve been more interesting when it sounds just like any other Idol-winner ballad - it’s a bit of a shame he didn’t dare to experiment with the slower tracks too, and only did it with the up-tempo songs. But! It’s still his best ballad to date, and the melody is amazing. Plus that it doesn’t hurt that Darin is a great singer. This would’ve been a massive hit for Backstreet Boys back in the days. I’m glad at least Rix FM will overplay the song here in Sweden. If it gets a single release of course, which I suppose it will eventually. If it isn’t I’m going to be very upset.

The next tracks are trying a bit too hard to be American. “Desire” has talk verses, and dodgy lyrics about a “sexy girl” who Darin can show “everything she wants”. It does have a KILLER chorus, though, which saves the song from being bad. “Like No One” sounds like a tedious Chris Brown b-side, and I think I like all the songs on Ola’s (from Idol) album better than “What If I Kissed You Now”.

However, he’s back in shape on “Saturday Night”, which takes off perfectly where “Perfect” ended. Actually I would’ve preferred if he had released this as the first single instead! It’s just a floorfiller from start to finish, with catchy electro verses and a great poppy chorus. It’s definitely challenging “Extra Ordinary Love” for being my favourite song on the album, and also the one which wants to make me want to dance the most. However, hasn’t the word “Saturday” been rhymed with “alright” enough? It feels like I’ve heard it a million times before.

It’s from “Everything You’re Not” Darin got the title of the album, “Break The News”, from. At first I didn’t really know what to think of it, but I love it now. It’s definitely not single material, but I think it suits perfectly as an album track. Also, thumbs up for the Kelis-ish cocky lyrics. Didn’t think the (personality wise) wimpy Darin had it in him! “If You Wanna” is basically “Want Ya!” part two. It’s a catchy dancehall anthem which would own the cool R&B/hip-hop dancefloors if it was released as a single. I love Darin’s voice on this one, too. He sings quite high, and almost sounds like a child. Let’s ignore the last two tracks which both easily could’ve been skipped. “The Thing About You” sounds like something like those American Disney teenage stars would come up with, like Jesse McCartney. “Homeless” is a dreadful cheesy ballad penned by Per Elofsson. It makes me wanna vomit. Though I guess you’ll like it if you’re a fan of extremely cheesy ballads.

To sum up, Darin has made a really good pop album. He’s found an attractive and suiting sound and it’ll be interesting to see where he goes from here. Hopefully he’ll dare to become even more obscure, and continue to work with Robyn. God bless her and Darin for bringing something different into the Swedish mainstream pop furrow, but at the same time manages to keep the oh so important “pop feeling”. You can buy it from one of the places to the right.

Darin - Extra Ordinary Love

posted by Chrille @ 11/24/2006