The well kept secret has become a summer hit: Emilíana Torrini knows how to combine pop and high standards, TripHop and folk. She’s been doing it for years, long before »Jungle Drum«, and there is still no stopping her. Her sixth record, »Tookah« has no courtesies to offer, no ingratiations. »Autumn Sun« consists of nothing more than a few chords and Torrini’s vocals, so small, so intense, so wonderful that it goes straight to the heart. »Speed Of Dark« flirts with bits of electro-pop and one’s own evanescence. And even though »Tookah«, the opener and title track, is catchy through and through, it has no potential for becoming a big hit because it’s so pleasantly far away from the current mainstream. The hectic beat is absolutely contrary to the aspirated verse, the chorus goes straight to your ear while requiring your full attention. Emilíana Torrini has no more than nine songs to offer on this record, but all of them are full of wonderful intensity. The atmosphere is gloomy yet playful, tender and pleasant. »Elisabeth« slowly sinks into melancholy, and once again you’ll hear organic and electronic sounds becoming a unique and amazing mixture. Emilíana Torrini limits herself to only a few pictures, but those are strong enough to make it all work. No other record of this year will turn you inside out as much as this one. Deserted streets, thoughts running in circles – the heart wants to take part, wants to sympathize. All the way.
Tookah
