Port-Royal - Afraid To Dance
[Resonant]

When Italian quintet Port-Royal released their outstanding debut "Flares" (read the review) in 2005, little did they know the impact it would have. The follow-up has been 2 years in the making and the anticipation has catapulted this release into, what Resonant is calling, "the biggest album on the label to date".

"Flares" deservedly gained plaudits from all angles, mixing stuttering electronics with tsunami-sized guitars into mesmerising glitch-laden soundscapes, it wasn't far from stunning. Fast forward to 2007 and The Royals now find themselves at the difficult 2nd album stage.

They deserve enormous credit, therefore, by resisting the temptation to re-tread old ground, "Afraid To Dance" is no Flares Mark 2. Nor is there any "Kid A" style left turns either. Instead, Port-Royal have refined their sound finding the perfect blend with their trademark electronics, shimmering synths and vacuums of distortion.

"Deca-Dance" features a solid Richie Hawtin inspired beat along with triumphant synths and represents a differnt facet to their sound. Making a mockery of the album title, this will get just about everyone moving on the dancefloor. Reports of a complete lack of guitars on "Afraid To Dance" are also well wide of the mark. "Rolla Timmen (Longing Machines)", for example, unleashes a huge slab of Bark Psychosis style distortion, around the halfway mark, that will send shivers down your spine.

"Afraid To Dance" is a success, though, due to the sheer volume of highlights it contains. Your favourite track will change almost with each listen. It could be the subtle programming touches on "Internet Love" on the first instance, the ethereal beauty of "German Bigflies" the next or even the soft, distant vocals towards the end of "Deca-Dance". Each track possesses enormous attention to detail.

There are many artists who marry electronica with post-rock structures, but few do it as seamlessly as The Royals. With the difficult 2nd album out of the way anything is possible for Port-Royal now. Like Radiohead, they are one of those special bands that are determined to stretch boundaries and experiment. They may be afraid to dance, but Port-Royal have shown us they are not afraid to take risks. A triumphant return and the boldest statement yet in the shoegaze revival.

Afraid The Dance Track Listing:

01. Bahnhof Zoo
02. Pauline Bokour
03. Anya: Sehnsucht
04. German Bigflies
05. Deca-Dance
06. Roliga Timmen (Longing Machines)
07. Internet Love
08. Leitmotiv/Glasnost
09. Putin Vs Valery
10. Attorney Very Bad (aka The Worst)