:: Again

Pnau

Since the release of the ARIA award winning “Sambanova” album back in 1998, I’ve had a pretty hard time keeping Pnau’s debut out of my CD player for any substantial amount of time. I began to wonder if anything would be able to take its place in longevity stakes. It’s the perfect album to adapt to any mood you could possibly throw its way. Now, at long last, Pnau has finally unleashed the follow up “Again” and what a successor it is. Picking up suavely from where its predecessor left off, the album shows no sign of the commercial edge we were surprised by on their last single “Una Noche”. It seems the boys have gone back to their roots a little with this one and taken us back to the electro greatness we’ve fallen in love with in the past. Featuring collaborations with the likes of Jamiroquai’s Rob Harris, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner, Howie B, Abstract Rude, David Bridie etc, “Again”
is everything an album should be, as the tracks leak over into one another to create one long journey you won’t want to end. There’ll be no track skipping on this one, as the whole record is a highlight. Each track prepares you for the next, taking you on a dark and deep sojourn through the catchy electro clash dance you might come to expect from the duo “We Love The Freshkills”, title track “Again” & “In The Valley”), through to some rockier numbers (“Blood Lust”), whilst still gliding through some smooth chill-out bliss with tracks like “Super Giants”, “The Hunted”, and the sublime “Lovers”. It’s taken on a darker heavier house than that of “Sambanova” but is sure to keep the old school fans happy and win over a few new fans at the same time. It’s the type of record that can demand your full attention, as you pump it up before heading out for a night at the club. Or it can just sit softly on the
airwaves as you work away in the afternoon not requiring much attention at all. Adaptable to almost any mood, it shows why the pair is among Australia’s most talented producers. I will be so presumptuous as to say that this is certainly the best Australian dance release this year and for good reason. It’s been a long time coming. So, if you’re a Pnau fan, it’s time to get excited for what they have in store for you. I’m sure you’ll agree its proved to be well worth the wait and, if you’re not familiar with Pnau, then this is certain to get you hooked.