Razika - Program 91 (30/08/2012)
Hailing from Bergen Norway and named after a code word used to call out cute boys, nineteen year old, all-female quartet Razika emerge with debut album ‘Program 91’. Partly sung in Norwegian, partly in English with all kinds of pop, ska and post punk, the band’s first offering oozes warm rays of sunny jubilant youth.
Opener ‘Youth’ is the very musical definition of the word, upbeat, dancey and fun, every note vibrating with happiness. Each tune thereafter echoes with the same promise of summery days spent carefree out enjoying life. A gorgeous cover of 1960’s Norwegian band The Pussycats ‘Why We Have to Wait’ is one of the many highlights on the album and Marie Amdam’s sweet melodic voice is even prettier with her slight Norwegian accent. There is the same flawless grace switching through both languages with English tracks ‘Taste My Dream’ and ‘Nytt pa nytt’ (New on New) holding their own against their foreign counterparts.
Ska off beat strummed chords, pop beats and catchy bass lines are the foundation of most of the songs with none of the band’s charm lost in translation with tracks such as standout ‘Vondt I hjertet’ (Heartache), ‘Aldri’ (Never) and ‘Middealder’ (Middle Ages). Backing vocals provided by the other band members seem to always be thoughtfully well placed and pitched, creating dreamy echoing effects. The overarching theme of ‘Program 91’ seems to be love in all of its confusing, heartbreaking and exciting forms.
Likened to The Specials or The Raincoats and for good reason, Razika impress and delight with their skilfully arranged and executed ska pop sound, displaying a maturity beyond their years and producing something commercially viable as well as thoroughly enjoyable in ‘Program 91’. It’s hard to not get caught up in the infectiously catchy vibe Razika create, or get rid of that warm glow on the inside and smile on the outside after a listen, definitely a band to keep an eye on.
Nazia Hafiz
Opener ‘Youth’ is the very musical definition of the word, upbeat, dancey and fun, every note vibrating with happiness. Each tune thereafter echoes with the same promise of summery days spent carefree out enjoying life. A gorgeous cover of 1960’s Norwegian band The Pussycats ‘Why We Have to Wait’ is one of the many highlights on the album and Marie Amdam’s sweet melodic voice is even prettier with her slight Norwegian accent. There is the same flawless grace switching through both languages with English tracks ‘Taste My Dream’ and ‘Nytt pa nytt’ (New on New) holding their own against their foreign counterparts.
Ska off beat strummed chords, pop beats and catchy bass lines are the foundation of most of the songs with none of the band’s charm lost in translation with tracks such as standout ‘Vondt I hjertet’ (Heartache), ‘Aldri’ (Never) and ‘Middealder’ (Middle Ages). Backing vocals provided by the other band members seem to always be thoughtfully well placed and pitched, creating dreamy echoing effects. The overarching theme of ‘Program 91’ seems to be love in all of its confusing, heartbreaking and exciting forms.
Likened to The Specials or The Raincoats and for good reason, Razika impress and delight with their skilfully arranged and executed ska pop sound, displaying a maturity beyond their years and producing something commercially viable as well as thoroughly enjoyable in ‘Program 91’. It’s hard to not get caught up in the infectiously catchy vibe Razika create, or get rid of that warm glow on the inside and smile on the outside after a listen, definitely a band to keep an eye on.
Nazia Hafiz