Pop duo Everything But the Girl, composed of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt, have made a remarkable comeback with the release of "Fuse," their first studio album in 24 years. The English duo, best known for their 1994 hit "Missing," went on an amicable and indefinite hiatus in 2000. They began working on "Fuse" in March 2021 under the project name TREN ("Tracey and Ben"), focusing on open-minded playfulness and receptiveness to invention, without putting pressure on themselves to create a specific sound.
What Worked
Decades in the making, Thorn and Watt have matured in musical ability and performance but retained what made the duo unique - using electronic music as a starting point to explore a variety of sounds and rhythmic approaches. From the swirling slow-burn build of "No One Knows We're Dancing" to the wobbly breakbeat of "Nothing Left To Lose," Thorns' aged voice gains soulful depth that balances the sometimes dark subject matter with a flipside of celebratory late-night anthems. It's a well-done balancing act, with lyrics like "kiss me while the world decays" and "what you desire when everything's on fire" that could sour the mood but instead add much need weight to anchor the album.
What Didn't Work
At a short thirty-six minutes, a few of the slower tracks that eschew four-on-the-floor beats like "Interior Space" put a halt to the vibe the duo creates so effortlessly on the majority of the record.
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