The gradual rise to prominence of Molotov Jukebox is becoming a journey almost as fun and rewarding as the final destination. Following up previous E.P.’s Double Dare and Bang, divided by a flurry of energetic singles, a performance at Glastonbury, and acting appearances on both the big and little screen by lead singer Natalia Tena, Carnival Flower has been a long awaited debut L.P. from the swing band.
From the opening rhythm of Tread Softly, leading into the softer lead single Neon Lights, Carnival Flower makes you want to get up and dance with every song. The album title is not at all deceiving. The subtle samba beats threaded into the more standard swing sound have the same effect as watching the Brazilian football team on television- you’re not quite there on Rio Beach with them, but you get a strong sense of the joy you’d experience if you were.
The best examples of this are Don’t Want To Know and Tropical Badboy, which effortlessly and seamlessly mix together the velvet vocals, the samba drum rhythms, and the accordion and trumpet combination that is almost becoming synonymous with Molotov Jukebox’s sound. The song Trying, previously released in the excellent E.P. Bang has been rerecorded for the new album, and the new urbanised version of the track has just as much verve as the original, but almost feels like they’ve deliberately made it rougher, less stylised and more genuine. The trumpets seem more like they’re being played from member Angus Moncrieff’s heart rather than his lips.
And when the music turns more restrained and emotional, such as their offering Punchlines, you don’t get a sense that this is a rehashed version of every love song pop music wrote once and released 100 times, but you feel that there’s a soul at the core of the song, belting out its story with passion and vigour.
The band also shows their flexibility, with backing vocalist Sam Apley stepping into the limelight for Household Smiles, allowing Tena to have what can be only described as a folk rap in the middle of the piece. The whole dynamic of the album means that whilst this song stands out for its variety, it doesn’t feel out of place.
What makes this album so great is that it retains its sense of fun. Many artists, when releasing their first full album, almost come with a commentary from business executives explaining, “Why this will sell more records!” Carnival Flower has no such feel. It’s free, relaxing music for people to dance to, be that on a dance floor in a crowded club or tapping their foot from their chairs at home.
Carnival Flower sounds like it’s an album with a heart, and that makes it very easy to fall in love with.
Danny Partington