CocoRosie, whose music defies both explanation and categorization, has done it again with Heartache City. This album is at once uncomfortable, beautifully weird and delicately woven. The tracks are polished, deliberate, and there is a certainty about it; CocoRosie knows how strange they are, and they do it well. More importantly, they embrace it.
Heartache City takes hip-hop traditions (like low-key beats and seductive churning) and mixes them with childhood memories, spoken-word poetry and fragile, adorable melodies that soar over under-produced tracks. The opening song, “Forget Me Not,” is a perfect example of what to expect for the rest of the album. Instead of sounding disjointed and clunky, this combination of styles makes for a catchy tune, that just sounds like it was lovingly crafted just for the listener.
Listening to Heartache City gives us the impression that CocoRosie aggressively puts their music first. There is no tension in this record – nothing seems forced, and the music floats and moves fearlessly. This group does not seem to be concerned with getting a No. 1 hit, or even with selling a ton of albums. One gets the impression that they just want to sell enough to pay for food and gas while on the road. Wind-up toys, tinkling piano keys and imperfect vocals are the hallmarks of Heartache City, which are clearly not for everyone. But hey, at least they are true to what makes CocoRosie, CocoRosie: their aesthetic.
However, that does not mean this record is without its faults. It is a bit repetitive. The first three tracks are almost indistinguishable from one another, until the beautiful “Heartache City” is introduced. The masterpiece of the album, this song shines. It is interesting, cool, slightly sexy, and has a melody that will leave you craving more. It feels the most like what the band meant to do with every other track. “Heartache City” just worked the best. After that song, the rest of the album is a bit of a disappointment. However, that does not mean the songs aren’t good listens. Heartache City in its entirety is a cool, sophisticated musical journey. It feels finished, and it feels right. CocoRosie should be proud of this body of work, because it can truly be called art.
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