When I heard that Blondie were about to release a new album, later this year, I had expected it would be a rock album. Last I heard from them, was rock music. However, I’m pleasantly surprised to hear they have chosen a completely different path. Blondie have always mixed rock with electro and even some reggae, but this time they thought it was time to get us into our dancing shoes and get our disco down. Following the trend of referring to the 70s, heir new single, “Fun”, makes you think you have caught a Saturday Night Fever. The song reminds me of the kind of material the Scissor Sisters would write, but is the result of Blondie's collaboration with Dave Sitek. Suddenly, it becomes apparent to me how this rock group (and in particular Debbie Harry) has influenced people like Madonna, because this song so reminds me of the Madonna sound from her “Confessions On A Dance Floor” era. Even the lyrics are Madonna-ish, and so the teacher has taken example of the student and the tables have turned. With the release of the single, Blondie also announced the new album, “Pollinator”, which will be released in May, this year. The band are working together with a variety of artists to create the album. Among the names are Charli XCX, SIA, Joan Jett and the Smiths. This suggests that the album will be a mix between rock and (electronic) pop after all.
It also shows that the band are still keeping up with today's music, a good 40 years after their debut. Not bad. Nevertheless, the band have said the album is all about celebrating recycling and will have an updated vintage sound.
"Fun" keeps up with the fun spirit the song title suggests and tells the story of someone too good to be true combined with a little bit of too much of a good thing. You just know something is about to happen, 'cos the good times can't last forever. The music is upbeat roller-skate disco with some hints of the Bee Gees in the higher hooks.
After having released a few live albums, the new album, due out May 5th, will be their first studio album in years. Get ready for a little bit of retro.
