VoicePlay - The Phantom Of The Opera (ft. Rachel Potter)

Buy The Phantom Of The Opera here (US iTunes)
Read my thoughts on VoicePlay's previous duet with Rachel Potter (Sia's Chandelier) here
Read about VoicePlay's new holiday single, The First Noel, here (myfestivepop)

There's something utterly compelling about the five fellas we know as VoicePlay. I don't know whether it's because I admire Tony's eyebrows or Geoff's style; whether it's Layne's ability to create studio ready beats with just the power of his vocal chords; or whether it's the singing styles of Eli and Earl who both give me "the feels" whenever they open their mouths. It's probably because they seem like jolly nice chaps (always important to me) and that when they get together, they create musical arrangements that leave me breathless at their intricate majesty. I also love that when they collaborate with other artists they seem to bring out the best in everyone. So colour me ecstatic that the fab give have reunited with Rachel Potter - and it feels so good. They've teamed up on the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic The Phantom Of The Opera - and it's like a Hallowe'en treat that keeps on giving. After a haunting intro, the guys actually make this sound like a dance remix that could be played at any club across the country. They keep the dark, gothic intensity of the song through Rachel's nuanced vocals that highlight the excited trepidation juxtaposition of the lyrics, yet those rhythmic grooves seem to underscore the frisson of energy that comes with forbidden love. When the lads texture their voices behind Rachels, it sends shivers up the spine. When she sings "the phantom of the opera is there, inside my mind" and they do an instrumental score to accompany this, it's worthy of any horror movie soundtrack in terms of giving you the exquisite chills. Tony is an excellent Phantom, his vocals seductive and commanding, alluring and compelling. There's something ever so slightly unsettling about the entire production - not a bad thing at all; in fact that is exactly how it should be. It leaves you guessing, wanting more and wanting to explore the song again and again. Luckily with VoicePlay, the arrangements are always so devilishly polished that you require several listens just to appreciate the work that goes into them. The final moments, with an absolutely Grammy-worthy performance from Rachel, is a swirling, bewildering, terrifying yet strangely satisfying experience. The song represents a bit of a departure for VoicePlay - it's a bold experiment that yields untold bounty and rewards for the listener. Add to this another great visual to accompany it (those masks are giving me Eyes Wide Shut funny feelings in my tummy) and you've got the whole package. MAGNIFICENT.