ALBUM REVIEW: Stealing Sheep - Wow Machine
Stealing Sheep's Wow Machine is a salute to female electronic pioneers. It’s heaving with bold, experimental neon pop production. Each track is a well-woven mesh of sharp, buzzing synth lines, cyber sung harmonies and thumping rave percussion. Drawing a straight-line path from Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, Moloko and The Knife, it’s shot through with glittery bounce, each melody drowned out by anticipation of the next.
The album features many of the early techniques of sampling, splicing, looping and reversing that revolutionised what was possible with electronics. A pulsating extravaganza of melodies and rhythms weaving and counter-weaving.
Crossing unashamedly into the realms of the ridiculous, they trade their signature triplet vocals, stacking memorable hooks as fast as they discard them. The breathless four-song opening stretch is nothing less than perfection.
“Synthetic Love Muscle” has the youthful feel of early Bananarama & Fun Boy Three, or even Sugababes.
“Replicate” is a minimal pop masterclass in the vein of The Human League, just as they were transitioning from moody industrialists to full on chart nominators.
Wow Machine is OUT NOW!
