The eagerly awaited debut album Body Music by AlunaGeorge (aka Aluna Francis and producer George Reid) is a collection of smooth tones, dance basslines and sweet vocals.
Despite this being their first LP they have already been around for over a year gracing every ‘ones to watch list’ of 2012 and touring throughout Europe. The unique sound and take on ‘pop’ songs has catapulted them onto every festival line up this summer, and the dual release of both a new EP and album a day apart later this month is set to further ignite the flame. The first single the pair released was a do it yourself independent release and since then every single has been released to much hype and chart success.
After both being in a string of bands that weren’t quite right for them, they found each other and began creating funky basslines with intricate melodies that perfectly accompany and complement Aluna’s interesting vocal style.
Her voice can often be sickly sweet, but the production from George Reid on the tracks creates a perfect balance. There is a strange sort of innocence to the vocal performances, and yet the lyrics are mature and often dark and edgy. Aluna shows that she is no shy wallflower on this album.
The album itself is an interesting one. At 14 tracks long it occasionally feels too long, but not in a way that would make me switch over. Every track had the potential to be very samey, but they all have their own signature twist. Stand out tracks have to be single ‘Attracting Flies’, track 4, the sultry, alluring love song, ‘Your Drums’, ‘Bad Idea’, and garage throwback ‘Lost and Found’. Interestingly, one of my least favourite tracks is the title track ‘Body Music’, which lies somewhere in the realms of dub, techno, chillout, and being a pop ballad. There is also an interesting choice for the closing track, a cover of ‘This Is How We Do it’. Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of covers and I think the album was pretty strong before this. I would imagine that as an impromptu live cover this would be great, but as an album track it’s not for me.
Alongside touring and working on two simultaneous releases Aluna is quickly gaining popularity in the fashion world being signed up to NEXT Models. It looks like this duo won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
Release Date 29/07/2013 (Universal/Island)
I have always had a passion for music. Growing up I spent many a Friday night glued to TOTP and many a Sunday attempting to record the Top 40 to tape. In secondary school I learnt the guitar and drums as well as being in every choir, sound crew and production I could. Finally, It was at University in Chester where I began to start writing reviews. Until then I didn't really think anyone would want to know my opinion. We had a guest lecturer come in and he had us do a minute task where we listened to a song and them had to write a descriptive one liner about it. I realised from this point that I could combine creative writing, music knowledge and opinion into something productive and interesting. That's when I signed up to Silent Radio. It was the perfect thing for me to get involved with, I could voice my opinion on the student airwaves and then write it for the website.Now I am a Music Production and Radio graduate, living in London and working my first industry job. I spend my days working at Metropolis Studios and my nights attempting to write well educated, witty and interesting reviews.When it comes to my taste in music I guess it's rather varied. I will pretty much give anything a listen. The genres closet to my heart would probably be rock, soul, funk and dance but thankfully my job is broadening my listening horizons even further. As a reviewer I would say I have a fan type approach and sometimes I am a little to generous when turning that dial but they are always honest and I hope to some degree, relevant. My hopes are to continue writing for SR, growing as a reviewer and expanding my music knowledge.
