Hal Flavin - The Talk

by Adrian Huggins

published: 30 / 6 / 2011

Label: Watt Blizzard Music
Format: CD

intro

Exciting debut EP from raw-sounding Luxembourg-based electro act, Hal Flavin

‘The Talk’ is not quite what you could call electro punk. Hal Flavin hail from Luxembourg and have quite a unique sound in which occasional screeches of guitars are set against a backdrop of noisy drums machines and synthesizers and some wicked Justice style bass lines. Having supported the likes of Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Metronomy, the band are in good company as these are worthy adversaries to be likened to. The opening title track has a raw energy that would excite crowds in a live setting. With their robotic vocals, busy synth bass lines and clanging chimes, you begin to see the band’s other side on Higher Life’ and ‘Broken Waves’, which have a much more 80’s feel to it. This is where you really start to get a feeling for Hal Flavin and what they are about. Full of claps and drum loops, there is a lot going on, but it all manages to work together like a technological overdose dream. ‘Animals of the Future’ has a disco edge to it and, with a more human feel to the vocals, it helps give a real rounded edge to the band’s sound. This is a really exciting EP which makes one wonder what a full length album from Hal Flavin would hold in store.