LO-FI-FNK AND THE JFG? EP LA VIDA LOCASH, DOTSHOP.SE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 28, 2005 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 22, 2005

I will keep this brief and to the point, so you can avoid any unnecessary information which may otherwise fill your already too hectic lives. Lo-Fi-FNK are the next big thing.
Some reasons why. Lo-Fi-FNK are a duo hailing from Malmö, Sweden, and create some of the catchiest electro-pop-funk music to be heard in a long time. Undoubtedly the band get their name from the fact that this EP is just that, very lo-fi, sounding quite intimate in a recorded-live-in-your-bedroom kind of way, but don't think that this means they are also low on talent; it is really quite the opposite. "A.D.T." ("Act Don't Talk" to those who don't like acronyms), "Change Channel", and "Unighted" are all synth and vocal driven tracks; the music is reminiscent of early-era Prince - circa "Controversy"/"Dirty Mind" - no bad thing in my opinion. If you check you can actually here a couple of references to early Prince tracks in here (surely not coincidence). The remix of "Change Channel" comes from Sweden's Soul Supreme, and is the last track on this EP - it is also probably the most radio friendly of the tracks on here. I can imagine if this gets picked up, then these boys could really start moving places. The only-let down track is "Down South" - which is a little too wacky; try "Music Owns Your Body" instead which shows their quirky and funky sides to perfection.
The overwhelming sense of fun coming from this EP is staggering, and as long as they can continue with this and have enough to further expand into an album, I can really see this talented duo going places. A talent to watch out for!

MIKE WHYTE