Some albums seem sinuous and hypnotic and others are downright difficult and angular. “Soap" by Finnish duo “Socks and Ballerinas falls into the latter category with the nine songs that make up this album determined to take as many right angled turns as two people can possibly make while still making the world revolve at 33rpm.
Unencumbered by words but, accompanied by copious quantities of reverb, one song after another cascades out of the speakers in search of attention and, with an artistic intent that verges on the manic, you soon feel your mind being crushed into submission. Crank up the volume some more and something strange happens. Very strange at that. Your feet start moving of their own accord. These songs aren’t danceable. Or are they. Despite their edginess and fondness for dissonance, there is an underlying rigidity that holds the song on course and that is, of course, the very foundation of all dance music.
So, despite the desire to be difficult, “Soap” is an album that, somewhat incongruously, sounds conventional yet has more than enough scope to entice the ears of those appreciate something a bit different.
Best song? “My Sister Lives in Glasgow” for the power chords.
The verdict? Those who appreciate complexity will like this album.
Available from Bandcamp.