CSS – Donkey
Brazilian five-piece CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) first appeared on the British music scene in 2006 with the release of their self-titled album (which roughly translates as ‘I’m tired of being sexy’). The success of this debut, from which the single ‘Music is my hot hot sex’ was taken for 2007’s i-pod advert, has meant that the follow-up ‘Donkey’ has been faced with high expectations.
Jager Yoga opens the album with Lead singer Lovefoxxx’s recognisable chanting-like singing, proclaiming CSS’s purpose on earth; ‘to take you out’! Showing listeners that CSS still possess the attitude that previously caused a stir in tracks such as ‘Meeting Paris Hilton’, which repeatedly refers to said heiress as ‘the bitch’.
‘Let’s reggae all night’ delivers the electro sounds so familiar with CSS, whereas ‘Move on’ is a great disco pop song, with an 80s feel. Not all of the songs are instantly likable, so it might take a few listens before the album grows on you.
‘Give up’ and ‘Believe Achieve’ are my personal favourites. ‘Believe Achieve’ is a danceable electro number, whereas ‘Give up’ shows the groups clever ability to seamlessly combine musical styles by keeping the albums up-tempo pace, but also incorporating guitar rifts to add a more edgy feel.
‘Donkey’ fails to create the same stir that came with the release of ‘Cansei de Ser Sexy’. Although it largely maintains the disco-electro sound of CSS, what’s lost is the raw edge that previously distinguished the group, and instead is a studio-polished album. That said, ‘Donkey’ is still a good album delivering edgy pop songs, with catchy lyrics and music for dancing.
By Alice Fisher
