WHEN I first heard Friendly Fires’ self titled album a couple of years ago I instantly fell in love with it. Their sound was energetic, upbeat, funky, and generally a bit fun.
The album was seriously catchy, and before I knew it it was the only thing I was listening to, and rightfully so it was nominated for a Mercury Prize.
Pala encompasses everything great about their first album with an added bit of umph.
There is no doubt of the similarities between the two albums. Friendly Fires are certainly stepping to the front when it comes to creating a great pop/dance/funk/electronica song. There is progression of course, the first single to be take from Pala, ‘Live Those Days Tonight’, sounds like a bigger production than say ‘Paris’. The drums are bigger, and the sound are braver.
Production on Pala seems better, but in general Friendly Fires seem to have taken the smart move and not messed with a good thing. They know how to write creative and addictive songs. I’ve had ‘Hawaiian Air’ on repeat for the last week. It’s a totally engrossing album.
