Lorna Irvine reviews the new album by Sabina Sciubba.
This debut solo album by Italian/German artist Sabina Sciubba, known simply as Sabina, is at once homage and tongue-in-cheek look at 'chansons'--European beat groups for this generation.
Produced by her previous band Brazilian Girls' producer Frederick Rubens, it is knowingly rooted in both past and present, with the cover (a still from the video for the title track) showing Sciubba naked, playing a uke on a donkey. It's a surreal choice of artwork which sets the playful mood.
Her voice is sly, soothing and a little fruity, breezy in the 60s tinged swing of Viva L'Amour with its refrain of, 'hmmm, de-de-de-de-desire', and possessing a wordly cynicism in Cinema, bemoaning the lack of original ideas in current films like 'an old whore who has lost her charms'. Ouch.
She may have a surface insouciance, but can, when provoked, bite. Still, Toujours, with its witty manifesto to seeking happiness is sure to bring a glimmer of sunshine to these dismal days... all we can ask for right now.
Tres, tres groovy, non?
Toujours is out on 18th February on Naim Label Records.
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