Kissy Sell Out - Wild Romance Album Review

Following his debut album in 2009, Kissy Sell Out has returned with another musical fusion - Wild Romance. For those of you who are not familiar with the talented young disc jockey, the Essex-born DJ/producer learnt his craft spinning decks through university graduating with a degree in graphic design. For those who do know him and his late night Radio 1 show, he is renowned for creative and innovative approach to electronic a and dance, whilst performing elaborate live sets with 4 turntables.

Wild Romance is more than a conventional dance album; it mixes up more variety than all the drugs available at Kate Moss' recent wedding.

Listening to dance albums outside of the club and sober can sometimes seem slightly monotonous, but Wild Romance manages to keep you entertained with so many breaks and drops that are perpetually evolving.

Every track has many layers, and they each move with such pace and exuberance, skipping through electronica, trance, dub step, break beat and dance whilst interchanging from contemporary and classical instruments.

With so many samples being thrown at you, when there is part of a track that you don't like, you need not worry as soon you will be rescued as the track develops with something different.

Nonetheless, this can have an adverse effect as I found with 'Alison'. The production begins so beautiful and soothing and with a euphoric use of the keyboard and violin, kissy provides an almost out of body experience, reminiscent of Moby's 'Porcelain'. However, the song is then ruined after about two minutes with the introductions of some womping dub step. From one extreme to another, very obscure.

The whole album seemed nostalgic, every beat, melody, break, sample and pluck of a violin almost seemed like I have heard this somewhere before, so be prepared for many juxtapositions.

If a job opportunity became available producing music for Nintendo, Kissy would be headhunted. I lost count of the amount of times I noted down this sample or entire song could easily be adapted to old school computer games like Megaman, Metroid and Zelda; especially 'Little Angel'.

The intro, 'Something Extraordinary' echoes the smiley face that is pictured on the CD. With the use of a xylophone and keyboard, the 25-year old DJ approaches the album with such a positive and exultant emotion you'd be foolish to change the CD. With funky breaks and drops the productions almost feels like narration; an excellent start to an album.

'Turn it on' features MC Cobra and has all the elements that make a 90's dance tune. Slightly cheesy with awful lyrics and keyboard samples, the song reminded me of Shaman and Utah Saints. However, despite what I have just said, the track works and is a credit to Kissy to as how.

'Homesick' is very radio friendly and poppy. Featuring Oh Snap, the simple lyrics and beats will definitely appeal and fit in with the student generation, especially the heavy dub step drops.

For those of you who can remember and enjoyed Fat Boy Slim's 'Renegade Master', 'Wild in the Warehouse' will more than likely attract your attention. After a droning and almost mental voice over which lasts well over a minute, the track finally gets into its own as the high pitched digital voice builds you up for the drop. A club tune!

Before Kissy's Terminator like theme tune concludes the album, 'Wild Romance' succeeds in providing all the elements to a conventional dance tune. Gripping keyboard solo's, lots of breaks, builds ups and most importantly - drops.

The album follows a simple formula of keyboard introduction before the beats and breaks take over the track, which is sadly quite noticeable. However, once under the influence, all this would be overlooked and clubs will fill the dance floor with Kissy's tunes.

A well engineered album.

7/10

Adam Holden