Millions/PU55YF00T1N

“Battledrum” is the newest single from the eclectic Norwegian duo, PU55YF00T1N. Formed as the result of an online discussion forum by Fionn McGrath and Helene Alexandra, the pair quickly realized their mutual artistic potential and decided to collaborate. Initial arguments in cyberspace across national boundaries eventually turned into a solid friendship that found Fionn relocating from his native London, to work with Helene in Bergen. The moniker, PU55YF00T1N is at once, idiosyncratic, crass, obnoxious, and bewildering, as well as being a fine choice for a project that aims to stand out and grab an unsuspecting public’s attention.

For the first single from their as yet unfinished debut album, “Battledrum” was written and played by Fionn and Helene, and later sent to famed American mixer, Justin Gerrish to produce. In a sense, Gerrish who has previously worked with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Vampire Weekend, is PU55YF00T1N’s first fan, in that he took on the assignment because he “dug” the track. Since its release in late 2010, the song has been picked up and put into the regular programming rotation of Norwegian national radio P3.

An R&B inflected, yet minimalist punk approach opens “Battledrum” with a bass drum thumping on all fours, while Helene’s voice matches a bass and guitar to play a synchronous melody. Twenty-two seconds in, the song makes itself known with a bombastic, memorable chorus that tells of weak knees and hearts beating like a battledrum in a throbbing, disco laden sound. Simple guitar lines and a big retro snare drive the musical attack as Helene’s crystalline vocals lead the charge against the bloated Goliath of conventional pop music.

With “Battledrum”, PU55YF00T1N have staked their uncompromising flag in a pop territory that will simultaneously greet them with equal amounts of approbation and scorn. A sanguine electro European flair mixed with the divergent sounds of American R&B and punk, give the duo their unique aesthetic. If “Battledrum” serves as a declaration to what will follow, then PU55YF00T1N will surely find their international niche audience, in addition to challenging the accepted perceptions of modern pop music.


Review by Stafford Davis
Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5) - www.reviewyou.com