Intelligent Candy
How does one concoct intelligent bubble-gum pop music? Just have a listen to the delectable artist known simply as, Annie. This Norwegian electro-pop princess is destined to become a superstar with her emotional and undeniably addictive debut album Anniemal.Throughout the album, it is clear that Annie and her team of producers intend on providing you with sugary, yet smart pop confections. Honestly, even on the more subdued tracks, one has difficulty finding a moment of dullness. Nearly every track is of hit single status, and the centerpiece of the album, “Heartbeat” is easily one of the best dance songs of 2004. On this track, while juxtaposing Motown-inspired rhythms with ABBA-esque vocals, Annie manages to capture a classic sound and combine it with timely, impressionistic lyricism. Tracks like “Me Plus One” with its bragadocious 80’s funk and “Anniemal” with its cheesy yet sexy innuendos make you long for the days of middle-school roller-skating parties.
Another one of the album’s many highlights, “Greatest Hit” is a flawless disco track, which first appeared in 1999 and was produced by Annie’s one time boyfriend Tore Andreas Kroknes. Tragically, Tore died of a heart-defect in 2001 at the age of 23 and the loss left Annie so depressed that she was forced to put her music career on hold. But now with her triumphant return, on many tracks, she takes the opportunity to interweave sadness and jubilation with poignant and magical results.
Sure, on the surface Annie may sound like just another electro pop star, a Norwegian Kylie Minogue if you will. However, underneath all of the sugary goodness she reveals a delicious amount of substance as well.
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