Calvin Harris - Ready for the Weekend

Rating

: * *

Verdict

:

A clubland revival no one was calling for.

Speaking about the new synthpop movement, La Roux frontwoman Elly Jackson recently said she thought her music was more akin to that of Calvin Harris than Ladyhawke.

But Miss Jackson sells herself short. Harris' music may share her penchant for squelchy, synthesised backing tracks and laser bleeps and blips, but the Scottish producer is no La Roux.

Despite the occasional catchy chorus that might make a radio playlist,

Ready for the Weekend

is very much a clubland record, full of disco diva lyrics and tinny drumbeats.

Harris' contrived, rumbling voice just doesn't pull off a pop sensibility and the record is likely to elicit flashbacks of bad dance parties 10 years ago.

In fact, one track is actually called

Flashback

and contains such abysmal sonic squall it could only possibly be enjoyed under the influence of narcotics. And lots of them.

Every time a track begins and appears to have some potential, Harris quickly spoils it with a blast of irritating, synthesised boom.

It might be intended as a bit of lightweight fun but it's hard to see who would be interested in this. Hardcore clubbers won't want a bar of it, while pop fanatics will find the heavy electronic influence distracting to the extreme.

Joanna Hunkin