Remember when Lady Gaga declared a state of pop emergency ("POP EMERGENCY!" bellowed the clothes repelling singer!) and urged us all to call 911? Well ace boys to men band 911 have responded and you can now unleash your applause: they are back with an absolute belter of a new song that precedes a greatest hits album, Illuminate: The Hits & More (out 8th September). Entitled 2 Hearts, 1 Love it sees the fellas return to the studio for the first time since Wonderland (from their 1999 hits compilation). It's a huge massive mid-tempo number that successfully bridges the sound they so ably created in the late 90s with a contemporary edge that will appeal to the baby boomers in today's pop universe. It needs to be their version of Patience (the Take That comeback song which is now the quality yardstick by which all comeback songs are measured) - and in that respect, it totally works. Set to a percolating backdrop that's powered by a live sounding instrumental (with just a hint of electro-infusion there), it's the perfect canvas for 911 to paint their life-experience lyrics on. And jolly fine, overcoming the odds uplifting lyrics they are too - narrating how love can steer you through the best and worst that life has to offer. It may well be a tale as old as time yet the 911 chaps are so endearingly sincere, so emotionally open with their delivery that it transcends cliches and becomes an utterly engaging piece of work. The delicious of refrain of "we are/we are/we are two hearts one love" (and yay - with accompanying finger gestures too. Love a bit of this in pop!) is gloriously catchy and is made for thousands of devoted fans singing it back at concerts. There's no denying that the guys know how to construct, create and deliver a pop song so that it garners maximum impact - their vocals individually & together are faultless and give the song a vibrant, euphoric feel that is all too hard to resist. Add to this a sun-drenched video that captures some classic essential elements that all boy bands should subscribe to (sundrenched camera shots, Christ like arms stretched poses, spinning around Back For Good styl-ee, etc) and it's an absolute winner from start to finish. Can't wait for the other new songs on the album (which you can pre-order here)!
(You can view the video exclusive at MSN here. I'll update the post with an embedded version once it is up pon de youtube. I'm so good to you guys)...
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