Swiss duo Filewile are here with their new album Blueskywell. They have made the transition from a laptop duo to that of a full dub driven band . Dustbowl (Andreas Ryser) and Dejot (Daniel Jakob) are joined by singer Joy Frempong and bassist Mago Flueck.

For this album, Filewile have integrated some of the raw energy of their live performances and have embraced the imperfections of analogue instrumentation, tape machine and the iconic Space Echo. Also the human voice has come into centre stage with Frempong's experimental lyrics and childlike wordplay.

This music is very much space like with bleeps and echoes appearing everywhere.

The opening track 'Sombrero Or Die' has a fast paced beat and there are odd noises in the background and forefront which are not dissimilar to noises found on the classic children's TV program The Clangers.

'Number One Kid' has a similar sound to that of Moloko, I think it is the female vocals that are quite similar. Again this track is full of space sounds but it is certainly an improvement on the opening song.

'Kick The Spacedrum' opens with a jazzy soulful feel, the brass in this is great even if distorted. This is a much better tune to be able to tap your foot in time to the music.

A cheeky little number is 'Radiotower', it's quite sweet in a fun sort of way. The lyrics, 'Hello hello radiotower' are followed by Frempong's playful vocals that bring a smile to your face. The melody in the background is summery and very playful.

'Bug' has a strong beat throughout although this track sounds a little ghostly and odd. Not a favourite of mine.

The title track 'Blueskywell' has a sharp beat, and the vocals sound a little more soulful rather than playful. This is more of a sophisticated tune.

'Robibot' is staggered and quite robot-like in vocals. This is an eerie sounding track and I don't like it. It's just a little too weird for me.

The intro of 'One Space Town' is extremely slow, the beat melody picks up eventually but I have already switched off by then.

'The Cave' is more of the same, weird and strange sounding. I'm not a fan of Frempong's vocals they are too childlike for my liking and just don't have any strength to them.

'King Of The World' has a more upbeat tempo but it's too trippy sounding and the background rhythm gets a bit annoying after a while. The French sounding accordion doesn't do this track any favours either.

'Iron Lady (feat. RQM)' is more like it. The rapping from RQM breathes life into this dull album. Unfortunately he doesn't stay on this track for very long. The rhythm and beat is much better and my mood has picked up a little after listening to some bad tracks previously.

'Balaton Soupdrink' opens with a good melody which turns to a minimalistic beat and unfortunately this track goes down hill.

'Swahee Swahoo' is strange sounding and again a little ghostly with sounds of a big choir being played and interjected. Frempong's vocals are more of a talk than singing. I don't know if I love it or hate it. Very strange.

'Codeine (feat. RQM)' is a strange mix of noise and sound with Frempong's vocals trying to sing the melody. This really doesn't work, it just sounds like a mish mash of sounds. Unfortunately, even RQM can't save this track as he doesn't come in until nearly 3 mins.

I just didn't get this album, the majority, to me, sounded like lots of different noises just thrown together. I'm afraid I need something with a little more stance to it in order to be able to enjoy it.

4

Helena Rea