[holden]

Oh yeah! Finally new official UW single!

And it's banging!

While this is different from the live version we've become accustomed to (yeah, not just the twinkly melody or lyrics - there are a lot more layers than the live version and even the arpeggiated synth sounds a bit different), "its' okay and it gives me everything i need"!
A happy vibe similar to TMO (that was also the lead single and took some getting used to, but has now become a live favorite), some Juanita(?) spoken word, driving bassline, cool percussion.

i will agree with comments above that this does seem very glossy and aimed for mass appeal, but hey, isn't that what singles are for? And anyway, it's a radio edit, designed to be played. Wonder how different the full version is (again, compare the single and LP versions of TMO). The artwork is a little bit pop, reminds me of Royksopp's "Junior", sort of 80's airbrushed - the woman in it makes mee think "Rio" by Duran Duran. Eek!

Looking forward to hearing the full version next. For now, i'm really very happy with this! New Underworld - and new album soon!


edit:
concerning collaborations and "playing it safe"; listen, Karl and Rick have been making music for a long time and have worked with a lot of different musicians. I think they are genuinely inspired by collabs and use it as a way to stay fresh and new. With the exception of AHDO, where there were some retreads of BF ideas, they've never played it safe...even on that one, TMO sounded very different than what we "expected" an UW single to be. Anyway, who can blame them for wanting to appeal to a broader audience? BF sold a lot, AHDO and OWB, not so much.
My only hope is that they don't employ guest vocalists. If collaborations sound like UW as back-up band to flavor of the month indie or RnB artist (see Chemical Brothers's last few records), we're in trouble. Otherwise, keep it fresh!