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Not content to let the dust settle on his debut record, last year’s acclaimed ‘Return To Form Black Magick Party’, Pop Levi returns with a new disc ‘Never Never Love’. Cut at Westlake Studio in Hollywood, which was formerly owned by Quincy Jones, this is the place where Michael Jackson’s seminal Off The Wall and Thriller albums were recorded, and it’s evident that this some-time Super Numeri and Ladytron-ite is looking to infuse his latest creation with some of the building’s residual pop magic.
Certainly, if it’s anything, 'Never Never Love' is a pop record in the purest sense. It isn’t arch or ironic; it is bright, self-knowing, intelligent and vibrant. Though, songs like the title track ‘Never Never Love’ and ‘Mai’s Space’ (see what he did there…) let it down in so much as they fail to actually do anything with the format, there is enough of merit elsewhere.
‘Everything & Finally’ recalls both Prince, Kraftewerk and to a degree The Art of Noise; ‘Dita Dimoné’ surfs along on an analogue electro groove punctured by jabbing Chic-like guitar lines, whilst ‘Fire On Your Feet’ is a respectable essay into the risk-it-all world of funk. In terms of standout tracks, there are ‘Wannamamma’ - all lascivious Robert Plant vocals, carried along on a fuzzed-up Stooges groove, and ‘Oh God (What Can I Do)’ which pulses with the kind of urgency previously associated with The Velvet Underground.
Although on one hand this might not be his best work, on this record Pop Levi has produced a coherent brace of songs, drawing influence from a broad musical palette, from pop to soul, funk, disco, rock and electro. Pulling this mix off without descending into chaos and confusion is an achievement in itself, and pretty much justifies taking the time check out Never Never Love.
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