Coming out of the bottom corner of quaint Nova Scotia, Radio Radio has a big sound that says to everyone, “Hey! Listen to us. You won’t regret it.” And believe me, you won’t. Radio Radio’s third full-length album Havre De Grave is most definitely not something just to skim over. With each song offering something utterly different from the last. All of the tracks may have the traditional upbeat drum beats of an electro hip-hop track, but are laced with dark piano darks that leave you with a slight chill, jazz influences involving the flute, saxophone, and jazzy bass lines, and even world infused drums, synths made to sound like an accordion, and some vocals as understandable as Sean Paul. The lyrics in many of the songs are what really caught my attention; I’ve seen many artists integrate French and English lyrics into their songs, but never in such a mixed up fashion. A verse in the first track, “Sunrise / All Inclusive War Tour” reads: “Fireworks à tous les soirs/ Personne à la job va t’croire/ J’su un changed man/ Sur le band stand du lemonade stand…” These songs were not intended to be sung along to easily, clearly. Unfortunately this album wasn’t entirely wonderful; one problem I had appeared in three songs: autotune. Ever since the Kanye West and T-Pain’s of the world began using this technique, it has simply become a cliché and almost lazy, something I otherwise didn’t associate with this rap trio. This album is easily being added to my collection, I would highly advise you to do so as well. (Bon Sound, laradioradio.com) Shanell Dupras
Radio Radio – Havre De Grace
Coming out of the bottom corner of quaint Nova Scotia, Radio Radio has a big sound that says to everyone, “Hey! Listen to us. You won’t regret it.” And believe me, you won’t. Radio Radio’s third full-length album Havre De Grave is most definitely not something just to skim over. With each song offering something utterly different from the last. All of the tracks may have the traditional upbeat drum beats of an electro hip-hop track, but are laced with dark piano darks that leave you with a slight chill, jazz influences involving the flute, saxophone, and jazzy bass lines, and even world infused drums, synths made to sound like an accordion, and some vocals as understandable as Sean Paul. The lyrics in many of the songs are what really caught my attention; I’ve seen many artists integrate French and English lyrics into their songs, but never in such a mixed up fashion. A verse in the first track, “Sunrise / All Inclusive War Tour” reads: “Fireworks à tous les soirs/ Personne à la job va t’croire/ J’su un changed man/ Sur le band stand du lemonade stand…” These songs were not intended to be sung along to easily, clearly. Unfortunately this album wasn’t entirely wonderful; one problem I had appeared in three songs: autotune. Ever since the Kanye West and T-Pain’s of the world began using this technique, it has simply become a cliché and almost lazy, something I otherwise didn’t associate with this rap trio. This album is easily being added to my collection, I would highly advise you to do so as well. (Bon Sound, laradioradio.com) Shanell Dupras