Frou Frou
Details

THE REVIEW

"Details" is the first and, so far, only album by the duo called Frou Frou. The talented Imogen Heap has since ventured into a solo project, producing the intriguing "Hide & Seek"; but that's, as they say, another story.

The album opens with the catchy "Let Go" (which also won a Grammy!), a futuristic and ethereal ballad, and with the single "Breathe In" supported by an engaging bassline (reminiscent of RZA's "Ghost Dog"). Then the work falls into pure banality and Sigsworth, lacking ideas, copies here and there, clinging to Heap's vocal distortions. But it’s not enough. With "Psychobabble" he emulates Bjork, with "Shh" he imitates Aphex Twin, with "Old Piano" he winks at Four Tet. Little new, almost nothing.

"Hear Me Out", "Maddening Shroud" and "It's Good To Be In Love" are saccharine pop songs heard a thousand times before, worthy of the best Britney Spears. Occasionally, it also reaches deep peaks of boredom, as in the soporific "The Dumbing Dawn Of Love." They cannot be considered masterpieces, but are still of fine craftsmanship "Flicks," where club music meets lively jazz rhythms, and "Must Be Dreaming," a conventional electronic melody.

It's a pity because Heap's Bjork-like voice is truly fascinating, at times almost disorienting (in "Must Be Dreaming," for example); let's hope she does better as a solo artist.