Andrew Hung – Realisationship

One half of Fuck Buttons, the pop sound of Andrew Hung's new solo album is a radical departure that falls flat

Album Review by Corrie Innes | 05 Oct 2017
Album title: Realisationships
Artist: Andrew Hung
Label: Lex Records
Release date: 6 Oct

Andrew Hung’s debut album is drastically different to his earlier work as one half of Fuck Buttons, but much of his new pop sound falls flat. Gone are the onslaughts of electronic noise, replaced with a curious brand of turn-of-the-century sunshine indie, especially notable on the groove-laden opener, Say What You Want.

After the radical discovery of a pop sensibility, the most surprising thing about Realisationship is Hung’s decision to sing for the first time in his career, revealing a remarkably Albarn-esque pseudo-cockney warble throughout. Tracks like Private Commercial and No I Won’t could, in truth, be forgotten B-sides from either Blur or Gorillaz. 

Sugar Pops is a nadir for this album. Video game style synths are employed with considerably less effect than on Hung’s earlier Rave Cave EPs. The chorus aims for endearing and kooky with its less than note-perfect vocal delivery but it just comes across as inane. 'Sugar pops makes me hazy / Sugar pops makes me crazy / Sugar pops makes it all go away' is hardly a deep and meaningful reflection on addiction or, indeed, cereal.   

Animals is the clear standout on Realisationship, and it's no coincidence that it's where the influence of Fuck Buttons is most keenly felt. Tense synth riffs drive it forward and give it an energy absent from the rest of the album. It is that energy, that immedicacy that made Fuck Buttons such an exhilarating listen, which is so sorely missed on this album.

Listen to: Animal, No I Won’t

http://andrewhung.bandcamp.com