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Pursuit Grooves - Frantically Hopeful (Album Review)

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 Written by Alice Findlay
Pursuit Grooves - Frantically Hopeful (Album Review)

Forthcoming album from New York solo artist Pursuit Grooves 'Frantically Hopeful' is due for release on July 4th. Undoubtedly effortful production, Pursuit Grooves performs in all constructive elements; singing, M.C.ing song-writing and production.  Pursuit Grooves fuses together house, hip hop, trip hop, and electronica. It’s a good ambient album that’s for sure. If your in need of an hours peace and a contemplation time then this would be a good sound track for that indeed. She’s been credited for “a creative delivery of abstract electronic soul”. Abstract definitely.

ImageSometimes the lyrics are lost in the effort to emphasise them with the verve, which overpowers them rather than emphasise. Experimental yes indeed, Pursuit Grooves is bringing in elements from genres and fusing them together. 

'Transformation of Consciousness’ tribal drumming, my, is hooking and the track with the most motionful in the album, in my opinion. Swifter than the first three. Rhythmic musings and acid lines that have a satisfactory wobble in there as well.

'Peace Talks' lyrical waxing of “you don’t have to say a word” flows over a backdrop of fused dub and ambience. The track exhibits Pursuit Grooves singing voice which is lovely indeed. Although the lyrical content is quite restricted in the track. But then poignancy gained from repetition.

Honestly, my opinion is that I’ve listened to this a good few times and there’s no real focal point to the album. Saying that each track has an individuality that is interesting but it takes a hard listen.
Or suits as background. There’s not much in there that grabs me. It’s bitty. The sounds are seemingly just sounds but then “Use your gifts to the benefit. You can’t break the walls beyond of it if you stay in your lane” - Track 7: 'Clueless'.

I think listening to this album you’re invited into an artists experimental stage. She’s musing and fusing and exploring music. There’s boundaries being pushed a transgression of genres that attempt to either make something new or just make something and there‘s nowt wrong with Ars gratia artis (art for art’s sake).

Personally the album leaves me waiting for something, I found it a little samey. But it could grab those of you who seek inspiration from experimentation, there is tons of it in the album. This would be a good one for the end of the night if you’ve retained the brain function to withstand the beat break up judderings. There are elements to this album I don’t personally like. It’s break beat persistence makes it juddery and hard to get a flow from it. I know the point of break beat, but here it kind of takes away from whatever it is that Pursuit Grooves is aiming for. It would be an intriguing experience to see how the development from studio production to stage production would transpire and that is for me, the most biggest hook for the album. 
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