And One
Flop!

The second album by And One is lightly connected to the previous one: to "Devil Airlines" in "Anguish," "G.U.S Airlines" responds in "Flop!" Otherwise, the points of affinity end here, and And One seems to want to delve into something deeper. You might say: "well, what about 'Techno Man'? What's deep about that track??" Relax, relax... this too is part of a well-defined design that finds its expression in the song "Years" (which at least in the title can evoke "Decades" by Joy Division, although obviously, the latter are far ahead in themes, melodies....). In short, "Flop!" proposes an interesting reflection on time passing, on the time we have left before death.

In fact, the first tracks are light and (let's be honest) commercial. "Loser" is easy listening, and "Technoman" goes in the same direction, and we let ourselves be carried away by the rhythm, since the words are anything but deep! Track 3 "Erste Liebe" deals with, as the title indicates, first love: once again, the lyrics are reduced to a few words. But these early songs are an introduction, an encouragement to continue listening. However, we might be discouraged by the sheer commercialism! But this aspect is justified by the album's intent: the progression of life. At the beginning, life is beautiful, sunny, everything seems to go well, and one only worries about having fun: hence, the first three songs embody youth.

This is why the fifth song, "Years," arrives. As Naghavy himself sings: "years are getting colder, just memories left behind." The years of youth and carefreeness, of optimism, are over: now we are adults, the games are over, and something must be done with the little life we have. Here comes "Kindergarten" with its bells that manage to create a melancholic atmosphere where nostalgia reigns. "Die Mitte" certainly presents a rather political text, but more generally, it encourages us to act and not to passively endure life. Time is passing too quickly, but one can make a mark. It becomes necessary to open up to new experiences, weave new relationships - maybe with the "Secret Boy" or the "secret girl" from track 8 - so as to have no regrets.

But there is nothing to be done, and old age, sooner or later, catches up with us all. Thus, song 9 is based on repetitions and gradually speeds up more and more: time is running out, flowing faster and faster... hurry, hurry! But the power of the mind is enormous: thus the old man in "Rosario" is convinced that "his heart is not yet old" since he still feels the same love for the woman in question. It concludes with "Yesterday": a sardonic laugh, unsettling atmospheres, rapid beats at the end as if to imitate heartbeats that are fading away.

The album has reached its conclusion, and you discover with pleasure that death has not (yet) caught you.