LOWE KINO INTERNATIONAL ALBUM MEGAHYPE RELEASE: JUNE 9, 2008 REVIEW: JULY 20, 2008

Lowe have promised a strong album this time. All the tracks are said to be single contenders and nothing has been spared in order to maximize the outcome of the tricky second album. The result, "Kino International", is both satisfactory and disappointing.

There is something about the sound imagery of Lowe that bugs me. Tilting more towards pop and rock this time takes their musical ambition even closer to acts like Depeche Mode (think "Songs of Faith & Devotion", but slicker), Radiohead and the like. In spite of their name and the title of their first born ("Tenant"), they have drifted away from the sharp lightness that is the trademark of the Pet Shop Boys, making their vision rather anonymous at times.

In the big picture these are minor remarks, though, as all songs are potent, albeit not obvious single choices. Credit has to be awarded the Stockholm trio for their efforts as they possess all the qualities to reach some sort of stardom. The vocals, the songs, the production. They are all there. They just need some sort of vitamin injection to expand their somewhat tedious sound into something more powerful and edgy next time.

NIKLAS FORSBERG