Review - Tyson - Die On The Dancefloor

Most of the reviews I write are for more well-known artists, and this is for two reasons. First, while I love writing about unknown songs and undiscovered artists, I know what brings the readers in. You think I just happen to mention Lady Gaga or Adele in EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE I write? Well, ok, maybe, but there is some thought behind it.

The second reason most of the album reviews you find on this site are from more recognizable names is because, well, simply, that is what I listen to in terms of albums. Keeping up with pop music is not easy – there is so much of it! Every day there are new songs, new artists, news, and new albums. I listen to quite a few new artists or songs that I have never heard of, as this usually doesn’t take too much time. An album is a different story. While I may not listen to every song all the way through, listening to an album is still a commitment of at least a few minutes (oh GOD!). Seeing as how I don’t always even get around to listening to everything I “should”, I sure as hell can’t give every single CD coming out a fair play.

Sometimes though, I have an extra few minutes, and I decide to randomly give a listen to something I know nothing about. I’ve gotten pretty good at looking at the artist’s name, the album name, and the cover, and deciding if it might be worth my time. On one hand, this is judging a book by its cover, which is supposedly a bad thing. On the other hand, get your marketing shit together people, I don’t have all day. If it looks good, I might try it.

The other day, I was scrolling around, and something caught my eye. Let’s see if it might be worthy of having a moment of my ears busy schedule:

The artist’s name: Tyson
Immediately takes me to an R&B place – half because the name makes me think of Tyrese – but R&B is a good thing.

The album name: ‘Die On The Dancefloor’
Keywords: “Die” – dangerous, sexy, dramatic; “Dancfloor” – dance, floor, dancefloor.

The cover:
<center><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/LetsAllKissHugh/PBB%20-%20Album%20Covers/Tyson-DieOnTheDancefloor.jpg" height=300 width=300></center>
Blindfolded? Ok, I’ll bite.

Tyson has now passed all three of my quick tests, so I’m now willing to give his album a chance. This doesn’t always play out, and sometimes I find myself clicking out and moving on after a few snippets of songs. Thankfully, ‘Die On The Dancefloor’ is not one of those times.

I have never heard of Tyson before, but I must say I really like what he is doing. A London native (it seems I won’t be writing about anyone from the US ever again, sorry guys), he is bringing 80’s disco-funk in a very fun, falsetto-heavy way.

The album is chock full of synths, creating an electro sound that makes you roll up the sleeves on your blazer and hit the dancefloor. Tyson has picked up where New Order and A Flock Of Seagulls left off and joins contemporaries Chromeo (with whom Tyson shares a label), Peguin Prison and Icona Pop, ditching any semblance of real instruments and putting his own vocal signature on this modern new wave.

While I can’t say there is a ton of variance from one track to another, the album is still very enjoyable. Totally worthy of my time, I’ll give it that.

Listen to: “Before I Love Again”, “Die On The Dancefloor”, “After You’re Gone”, and “Fight”