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Freemasons ft. Sophie Ellis Bextor - Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)

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Fraser McAlpine | 11:05 UK time, Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Sophie Ellis BextorSophie Ellis-Bextor is an extremely underrated force in pop. There, I said it. I've never really understood why she isn't a bigger star than she is, considering that for my money, she makes probably the best frosty electro ladypop in the business. Indeed, Fraser and I had arguments about which was the best track from her last album that went on for days because there were so many different options to choose from.

[Fraser's note: And I MAINTAIN that, even though 'Love Is Here, 'China Heart' and 'If You Go' are all very wonderful songs, I was right about 'Today The Sun's On Us', STEVEN...]

(. That's what the cells look like in Fashion Prison.)

Anyway, Sophie is officially Good At Pop, which is why I'm glad that this new single doesn't mark any kind of change in direction - it's just another shining example of what she already does brilliantly. The icy vocals sit atop a blistering dance beat (nice work, Freemasons...again!) while the lyrics account a tale of love gone all wrong, and an attempt to get away from it all on the dancefloor.

Admittedly when I describe it like that it doesn't sound all that groundbreaking, but it's so much more than the sum of its parts - the bittersweet delivery of the vocals, the way the vocoder is applied in just the right amount, how everything just sweeps upwards for the chorus, the chorus itself... It all contributes to a track that really deserves to be the song of the summer.

And I hope it is, because I really don't want to have to write another review about how underappreciated I think Sophie is, but heck, until people sit up and take notice, I shall.

[Additional Fraser note: *salutes*]

Five starsDownload: Out now
CD Released: June 22nd

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(Steve Perkins)

"Who hasn't danced away their troubles after a nasty break-up?"
"The song before editing was bland, plain and simple."

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    I heard this a couple of months ago and completely forgot about it! Bad me, cause its ace. Probably a 5 star job.

    Better than Kelly + Dave's summer offering. Hope its consequentially (looks like it's spelt wrong, apparently not) a bigger hit.

    She's looking fantastic in the video too.

  • Comment number 2.

    SEB has no charisma at all, the description 'frosty' in the article is apt. Didn't Robbie Williams describe her as having a 'face like a satellite dish' or similar? Bit harsh, but then she doesn't come across as a nice person. She doesn't have any rhythym - any performances of her I've seen she stands stock still in front of the mic. The backing tracks are never her own work either.

  • Comment number 3.

    @2 - that's part of the appeal - she's frosty, glamorous, posh pop. That's the image - in interviews she seems friendly and down to earth - she's got two kids now.

    Although her cancelling two tours annoyed me.

    She does write her own songs too.

    And anyone who Robbie Williams doesn't like is an automatic bonus for them, in my opinion.

  • Comment number 4.

    Really good review Steve.

    This is a superior pop/dance track and Sophie looks and sounds great.
    The chorus is huge and the song is ideally timed for the Summer market.
    Shame it's raining as I write this :(

    Another Top 20 hit !



    P.S Liam... I hope you have already packed ! lol

  • Comment number 5.

    Huge track and the Freemasons are amazing producers, just llook at what they did to Kylies 'The one'! As for Robbie Williams comment, did his last album were he tried to be more pop bomb drastically? Lets see where his next efforts get him, do people really care for him now? Sophie should hit the top spot with this track, cannot wait for the new album!!

  • Comment number 6.

    ooaqici82qb4ip - I would dispute the lack of charisma, since I've always considered it more of a deliberate performance choice to be aloof, in the same way that Lady Gaga pretends to be an airhead with no dress sense but (probably) isn't. But I do see your point, I think it's the sort of thing that people either love or hate, with no real middle ground.

    Bloofs - I had tickets for the last tour, and I was so disappointed when she cancelled. I've got my fingers crossed for third time lucky...

  • Comment number 7.

    I like this song and I kinda like SEB, but I have to agree with ooaqii... Comment Two.

    She certainly lacks any charisma in her performances and I can kinda imagine her standing in the recording studio just swaying along to the beat all nonchalant-like.

    I reckon she does come across as a nice person though, I saw her on Never mind The Buzzcocks - Canny lass!

  • Comment number 8.

    Hi South of the city...

    You mentioned Robbie Williams and questioned where his next efforts get him.. and do people still care for him now ?

    Well here is an update.

    Robbie's last album "Rudebox " sold about 800,000 copies in the U.K , which was his l album that has sold the least copies.It was largely disliked by the critics , although some did like it , but since this, many people have written him off.

    Well just as Freemasons are excellent producers, Robbie has the excellent Trevor Horn producing his comeback. Trevor's production work bristles with class, and he really brings a song to life, and has a great ear for melody.

    The songs are sounding great, especially one in particular !
    Robbie's new album will outsell "Rudebox " and propel him back to the limelight.

    Watch this space !

  • Comment number 9.

    The beginning sounds to my ear a lot like the Freemasons' cover of Uninvited featuring Bailey Tzuke - - that's a good thing :)

  • Comment number 10.

    @ 6
    I actually broke the news of her cancelling her tour for the second time, when one of the big venues for the tour announced on their website that their SEB dates were cancelled (before her management wanted it known the whole tour was gone) - apparently I was the first to notice and tell the fans on her website.... it was a sorry state of affairs, particularly for foreign fans who had arranged plane tickets and hotels etc, never mind disappointed Brits.

  • Comment number 11.

    @ 8

    - please, please no.

    I actually have a lot of goodwill for Take That now, purely because their success probably irritates Williams.

  • Comment number 12.

    Just out of interest, why did she cancel the tours ?

  • Comment number 13.

    Ha ha , Bloofs, we are talking about a Williams comeback of epic proportions !

    You might wish to go travelling abroad for a while , because the lead comeback track is gonna be huge !

    There will be no escape. lol

  • Comment number 14.

    Oooh spiritwarrior I've written that N-Dubz review, hopefully you'll like my review but I feel that maybe criticising Fraser wasn't such a good thing.

    Remember I don't have a Journalism degree or anything like that!

  • Comment number 15.

    @12
    I think the first cancellation was because she was offered the chance to be Take That's support on their tour (personally I think they should be supporting her, but there's no accounting for taste, not that I would want to see Take That anyway...)

    The second cancellation was officially because the greatest hits were supposed to be out later in 2008 (but aren't) and she was going to tour on that instead while concentrating on writing new tracks, but, of course, conspiracy theories about other reasons exist. So TTLF doesn't look like it will ever get its own tour... it has been frustrating for us loyal SEB fans.

    But you can click through to her website to read the official announcements of the 'two-in-a-row' non tours.

    But it's good to see her back with a single.

  • Comment number 16.

    The Freemasons single is the one she was supposed to be touring on back in 2008.. ...obviously she had her second child recently so maybe that's why the third tour hasn't happened yet. But who is more important? Your child, or the baying mob of fans? ;-)

  • Comment number 17.

    Absolutely first class review of the N - DUBZ track Random , it totally echoes my thoughts on the track.

    On a pure business level, after releasing six singles and then having a number one with Tinchey, they should have not have released another, off the album.

    This would have left demand high, and their fans hungry for more, waiting for the new material . Excitement would have been at fever pitch for months.
    Instead they released a 3 star song that is unmemorable ,and undoes a little of the good work that the Number one did.

    The commercial proof of this is the fact that it failed to chart.

    Still, something tells me that with their obvious talent , and Dappy's determination to make his Dad proud ! ( His Dad had two number ones in the 70's , and Dappy will want to at least match that ! ) the future for N- DUBZ will be very bright indeed !

    p.s In your review you mention a guy called Fraser as being in N-dubz.

    Fraser works for Radio 1 and is renowned for sometimes writing magical reviews.

    The guy in Ndubz is Fazer ( real name Richard Rawson )

    Poor Random ! You wrote a great review and your website is ace... but unfortunately , you have our Fraser on the brain ! lol

  • Comment number 18.

    Fraser in Ndubz! Not a bad idea...

    And who was his dad?? Was he in Medicine Head? Or Captain Beaky and His Band?

    Or am i getting confused?

  • Comment number 19.

    Dappy's Dad was in Mungo Jerry.

    Their two mumber ones were:

    In the summertime . and
    Baby jump.

    Dappy will want to match his Dad's achievements.

    I am sure you will see a tear in his eye if he does, this will mean so much to him.

  • Comment number 20.

    Haha damn it! I meant to write Fazer but I said Fraser instead everytime!

    Okay I'm going editing that review.

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