Smile.dk – Party Around the World (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

November 22, 2008 by Dennis Amith 

“Smile.dk has gone through several changes over the years but the Swedish pop group is back with their fifth album (their first in six years) featuring a good balance of Euro dance pop music, beautiful vocals and several songs with a Japanese twist.”

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GROUP: Smile.dk

ALBUM: Party Around the World (Digital Version)

LABEL: Ninthwave Media

DURATION: 46:45

RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Doki Doki
2. Japanese Boy
3. Temptation Island
4. Nothing’s Missing – For Once in My Life (feat. Lasse Wellander)
5. Koko Soko
6. Summer Party
7. It’s In Your Melody
8. Chick Tricks
9. Hummingbird
10. Paradise
11. Tomoe
12. Around the World
13. Heal My Broken Heart (Bonus Track-Almight Definitive Mix)

My first time I heard of Smile.dk (or at the time known as Smile) was when I was in Japan at Sega Joypolis pumping coins into the “Dance Dance Revolution” arcade game.  Their song “Butterfly” was a catchy song that really caught my attention a decade ago and since then, their music over the years have been featured on various DDR games and ten years later, the group has a new track titled “Doki Doki” (Panic Mix) which will be featured on “Dance Dance Revolution Universe” for the XBOX 360.

But back in 2005, I remember that there was new going on if the group would continue because the women were married and have become mothers, also the group has changed quite a bit with Veronica Larsson, the only member of the original duo that still performs with the group.  Malin Kernby who replaced Nina Boquist (the original member) left the group earlier this year.   Malin did take part in recording a few tracks on this album such as “Doki Doki” but left the group due to personal matters and brought in Hanna Stockzell to replace her.

So, the year has been a restart of Smile.dk which now currently consists of Veronica Larsson and Hanna Stockzell, a new start with a new label, new producers and now a new album titled “Party Around the World”.

Having not released an album since 2002, Smile.dk has released their fifth album on Oct. 2008 with “Party Around the World” and needless to say, American fans are excited with the announcement that the duo will be performing at Sakura-Con in the Summer of 2009.

The duo’s album “Party Around the World” features a good balance of European Pop/dance tracks such as “Doki Doki” (which is a Japanese slang for the heart beating).  The track incorporates a traditional Japanese style of Koto sound but showcasing the group’s sugary pop style.

The album features a few song with a Japanese-related title such as the upbeat tracks “Japanese Boy”, “Koko Soko” (Here There) and “Tomoe”.

But as the duo is known for their high energy pop tracks, which the majority of the tracks on “Party Around the World” features upbeat, happy pop tracks, you’ll find a few songs that really showcase the group’s vocals with songs such as the ballad “Nothing’s Missing – For Once in My Life” which features legendary Swiss guitarist Lasse Wellander.  A beautiful ballad showcasing the group’s harmonies.  Very well done!

For those who are familiar with Smile.dk’s music in the past, you will still find that style of music on “Party Around the World”.  Despite not having released an album in six years, “Party Around the World” is a solid, enjoyable album featuring fun, enjoyable pop tracks.

But I have to admit that when I heard the track “Nothing’s Missing – For Once in My Life”, I was really impressed by the duo’s vocals and the fact that the song was not a high energy dance track and wouldn’t mind hearing a few experimentation tracks of the group trying out other styles of music.  In fact, the track “Around the World” is an upbeat track on the album that is one of those songs that don’t go the Euro dance pop route compared to the other songs on the album.

Of course, a large part of their fandom are passionate about their Euro dance pop tracks and on “Party Around the World”, they don’t let their fans down as there are plenty of dance tracks throughout the album to keep fans satisfied.

Tracks such as “Doki Doki”, “Koko Soko”, “Summer Party”, “Its In Your Melody”, “Hummingbird” and “Tomoe” are definite tracks that are catchy, fun and all have a similar style to their popular classic hit “Butterfly” that should definitely keep their fans happy.

Overall, a very good, solid album from Smile.dk!  If you enjoyed their tracks from the past, then definitely check this album out!

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