Back in the 2000s, r’n’b pop was ubiquitous. There were not many pop artists who offered something else. At that time, there was one unique band. It was more an oasis than a band. An oasis that provided us with vacation from brainwashing mainstream pop. Their name was Moloko.
People tend to neglect that before Roisin Murphy became queer queen, she was a member of trailblazing duo Moloko. Following Moloko’s breakup, she went on to endless journey of experimentation that resulted in glorious EPs and three groundbreaking albums. Today, I am not going to focus on Roisin Murphy, rather throwback to 2003 when Moloko released their last studio effort. Consider this as my lament that the duo does not exist anymore, no matter how grateful I am for Roisin.
After very successful album Things To Make And Do, Statues saw Rosin Murphy and Mark Brydon returning to the unmistakable sound of Moloko. The album obtained all the good facets of its predecessor, but it reduced the dark elements and introduced a more mature music. Roisin’s vocal was seducing ever since the first single Sing It Back, and on Statues it has become clear that it is the band’s trademark. It is their strongest asset, along with intriguing pop arrangements.
The album unfolds with Familiar Feeling, a classic single and true hit for Saturday nights. It has one of the best introduction ever, and I swear that I will never get bored of this song. After the intro, the song stops for a brief moment and starts again with the verse I never doubted it: Whats for you won’t pass you by. Roisin’s voice invites you to the destination of no return. Once you are sucked in, you never want to stop listening to her.
Forever More relies on good old dance, only it offered a hardcore version of it. One of the things that set Moloko apart from other dance musicians was their utilization of instrumentals in simply structured songs. The melody is recursive and it reincarnates throughout the songs, but it all sounds like they perpetually manage to find different ways to tell the same story.
Come On is a reminder that Moloko also nurtured emotions. Broken heart never sounded so glamorous as in I Want You and Blow X Blow. Even today, when I listen to I Want You, I still feel rollercoaster of dismal emotions lead by Roisin’s incredible performance. I mean, If you put this song on your playlist, I would forgive you If you don’t listen to the rest of the record. I would forgive you, but wouldn’t suggest you.
The closing track Over and Over speaks about the relationship breakup in a very eloquent and elegant fashion. Roisin decided to heal everyone who is undergoing romantic departure, and the best thing about it is that we will forever have this therapy session. The album closes just as it begun – dramatically.
For everyone who can not get enough of Roisin Murphy, Statues will come in handy. Long live Moloko!
