• Sally Shapiro Disco Romance

. Hoffman, K. Retrieved 26 December 2007. Bryson, Scott (3 December 2008).

Sally Shapiro's debut, DISCO ROMANCE, draws heavily on Italo-disco on its sound, because the 80s weren't long enough for a good decade. But their tracks have a. Mea culpa: We're all about Sweden lately. Well, not just lately. For the past few months we've busted out Sally Shapiro's Disco Romance whenever we're needing a.

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Sally Shapiro's debut, DISCO ROMANCE, draws heavily on Italo-disco on its sound, because the 80s weren't long enough for a good decade. But their tracks have a joyousness to them, all supported by the lead singer's airy vocals, from the 'I'll Be By Your Side' to the more upbeat 'I Know.'

She glides through the intra-song key-changes with Scandinavian grace, adept at the French spoken-word opening of 'Time to Let Go' and speedy rhythm of 'He Keeps Me Alive' both. 'Jackie Jackie (Spend This Winter With Me)' adds a more 60s pop spin to the track, while the final track, 'Sleep in My Arms,' takes a more ambient path. A fun album, to be sure. The debut full-length from Sally Shapiro is something to behold. K-Dub christened it “winter pop” and I rather like that term! Trance﷓like and deceptively upbeat, this is an astoundingly palatable blend of Italo/post-disco and European electro-pop (maybe like Saint Etienne or Pizzicato Five, sans the overt kitsch) tightly wrapped in a protective cocoon of nostalgia and melancholy. Watch the video for ‘Jackie’ and the picture is suddenly complete: solitude is a security blanket, hopeful longing is celebrated, “How come I don’t fall in love with normal people, and how come normal people don’t fall in love with me?

Sally Shapiro Disco Romance

I don’t think I’m that strangedo you think I’m strange?” Fittingly, an air of mystery surrounds this Swedish outfit. For all intents and purposes, Sally Shapiro is a persona invented by Johan Agebjorn, the principal writer, musician and producer the singer’s real name is a tightly guarded secret. Gimmicky for sure, but don’t let it be offputting. What’s up with the teary-eyed dancefloor? And Why are all the clubgoers staying home tonight with their photo albums and fireplaces?

The cold, rainy-day synths of “Disco Romance” may very well answer both of these hypothetical questions. Some artists sound like they have a million different influences, but Sally Shapiro sounds like she only has two, and she's channeling them brilliantly. Imagine 50% Annie (for the icy scandinavian vocals, sweet and lovely, and for the modern, clean synthpop production), with 50% Valerie Dore (for the bitter-sweet italo melodies, retro synths, chunky snares, and chugging basslines).

It's a fantastic mix. OK, so to be honest it sounds almost uncomfortably close to its influences - it's sat right on that fine line between heartfelt sentiment and superficial pastiche. But hey, it's not like italo-style synthpop is supposed to be anything other than beautiful surface and shimmer, right? In my opinion (as a fan of italo-y synthpop), everything about this album is perfect.