Romare – Love Songs Pt. 2

Archie Fairhurst’s new album, Love Songs Pt. 2, is a more intense, yet at times more tender, follow-up to his debut EP Projections.

Signed to Ninja Tune and making music under the moniker Romare, Fairhurst uses a collage-like approach to his production, inspired by the method adopted by American artist and namesake Romare Bearden. Cutting and pasting together samples, bass lines and percussion, Romare’s sound is warm and groovy, with this record's disco influences evident – tracks such as All Night, and My Last Affair boast soulful vocals which offer some clear references to the glorious sounds of the 70s.

Without many lyrics to further decorate the music on offer, the album often feels like a perfectly extended DJ mix, a factor assisted by its coherency and fluidity. The use of such an eclectic melting pot of samples also gives it an incredibly timeless feel. Long Songs Pt. 2 succeeds most, however, in its striking use of crescendo. Within tracks, and across the LP as a whole, Romare develops an intensity that distinguishes it from his past releases, as the sound constantly builds in layers.

At times, this record feels more commanding than Projections ever was. Romare explores different elements of love, as summarised in each track’s name: from New Love, to Honey, and My Last Affair, we experience first dances and explore new lovers, passionate anger and sexual desire.

While Romare is a master when it comes to constructing unique and unusual sounds in his music (the opening of his old single Roots for example), sometimes this can be more abrasive than enjoyable – New Love, we're looking at you. Overall though, this is a warm piece of percussive and melodic greatness; stand-out single Who Loves You? is sure to explode across dancefloors.

Listen to: Who to Love, My Last Affair, Who Loves You?