CSS ‘La Liberación’

CSS
‘La Liberación’
(V2)

It’s been three whole years since Sao Paolo art-popsters CSSreleased ‘Donkey’ and it feels like ages since we’ve seen them cat-suited up, covered in improbable amounts of glitter and careening around in a brilliant day-glo blur. But now, with a new album under their spangly knickers, will CSShave successfully negotiated their way around their third album? Abigail Payne-Humphries cuddles up to ‘La Liberación’ to take us through track by track…

‘I Love You’

It’s a gentle and familiar start, we’re greeted with some cutsie babyish coos of “I love you, I love you too.” Thinking it’s going to be a bubblegum pop, sickeningly adorable love song your first instinct will be one of the following (depending on your current relationship status): smile and swoon, clasping your hands together saying “That’s so cute I can totally relate to this song,” or, if you’re bitterly single yet ready to mingle, get ready to start vomiting in your mouth. If you listen carefully amongst the synthesisers, you’ll see the song transform into a Bridget Jones-esque anthem for lonely girls everywhere, with Lovefoxxx singing, “Table for one/ Really no fun/ So I’ll sit and eat in here in front of the TV.” Alas, nothing lasts forever, the song quickly reverts back to ‘romance, love and shit’ with Lovefoxxx asking in angry shouts, “Can you fix me with what I really need?” It’s not challenging, but when it’s this emotional, who’s gonna notice?

‘Hits Me like A Rock’

This song comes in like a floaty summer’s day, before bringing you back down to earth with a jolty electronic thud. It’ll more likely hit you like a warm breeze than a rock, but just like your mum’s beef hot pot it’ll certainly hit the spot. “We have too many bruises from too much kissing/ The only pain would be from too much missing,” purrs the frontwoman. It’s about teenage, fancy-free love that is Solero ice-lolly cool. Cooler still, the band are joined byPrimal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie on this track. It’s synthy, it’s bubbly and it’s a welcome surprise.

‘City Girl’

For a track that starts off with a Spanish-inspired melody, this is pretty dark. With powerful lyrics and an attention grabbing trumpets, synth and drums this is a welcome grungy addition to the album. “I don’t give a shit/ I wish I would dye my hair pink, put on black lipstick.” The song takes us closer to home, referencing a struggling Lovefoxxx’s attempt at being an individual in her hometown. At 16 she moved to the city where she could let her creativity run riot: “In the big city nothing hurts, nothing hurts.” A powerful song with an emotional insight into past painful endeavours, this is not one to be forgotten easily.

‘Echo Of Love’

This lilting, sashaying little number features the sound of waves lapping against the shore. Enough said. With its carefree lyrics (“Just let it go, enjoy it whilst it lasts/ That look and sound might not be coming back”) jive-inducing tones and “woah woahs” a-plenty it’s guaranteed to slap a grin across your mug.

‘You Could Have It All’

Uh-oh, it’s a break-up song. With cascading piano notes, moody guitar strums and thumping bass, it’s a heartbroken girl’s best friend. “You could have it all but then what’s left for me”. Described by Lovefoxxx as “a striptease for the soul”, it’s something anyone who’s been unlucky in love can relate to. With lyrics to make you wince, “You look at me like you have no other option”, it’s raw, it bares all and it’s an anthem for bitter girls everywhere.

‘La Liberación’

What a punky little number! Stompy guitars rub aggressively up against Portuguese lyrics in a song about the women’s liberation movement. CSShaven’t been shy in speaking out about the sexism in Brazil and this song is another protest about women’s rights. At just two minutes long, it’s crammed full of impact. Pow!

‘Partners In Crime’

Another love song. Hang on; can we spot a trend appearing? Not so fast, this has CSSsounding all mature with gushing piano and lyrics just screaming out to be adored “If you could only see how your magic is working on me.” Aww. Bonus fact: this track features Mike Garson who played piano on David Bowie’s ‘Aladdin Sane’.

‘Ruby Eyes’

seems to be about joints, it’s moody, again with whirry feedback and an array of instruments as cluttered and clumsy as Primark’s clothing rails on a bank holiday weekend. For a song about illicit substances, it’s not all that exciting.

‘Rhythm To The Rebels’

Is that a barking dog? So far, CSS have lulled us into a sense of security and belonging, opening up their feelings and sharing with us their torment and heartbreak and this, lyrically, is no exception. “She’s tired of all this crap/ And she has some things to say/ I’m going to fly away/ I’m going to shine like diamonds.” Yet it all feels a little disjointed and, despite sampling some Superman quotes with a feminine twist “Is that a woman? Is that a plane?” it’s definitely one of the record’s wallflower tracks.

‘Red Alert’

After another intro packed full of attitude, ominous bass and twinkly piano soon melt into a delicious chorus of swirling dulcet vocals and catchy velvety tones. It’s like swimming in Galaxy chocolate – ruddy lovely! It may not be as upbeat as we’re used to with CSS, but it just shows them (again) being all mature and stuff. And it’s very nice indeed. “Meet me in the desert/ I want to speak your tongue,” Lovefoxxx coos, “You put my body on red alert.” Sensual.

‘Fuck Everything’

Steering well clear of the aggression its title hints at, the closing song starts with a fairly mean guitar riff, then transcends into some chanting about ‘not giving a fuck’ in some way or another. It then builds up to some more speak-singing and screaming, with the occasional “Bitch, please.” It’s not as effective and punchy as some of the album’s harder-hitting moments, but this paradoxical burst of light relief is offset by the fact that this one is most definitely not a love song. Ultimately, ‘La Liberación’ is about love, heartbreak, not giving a fuck (but secretly giving a fuck) with a pinch of politics thrown into the mix – it’s teenage-tinged melodrama written by a bunch of 20-somethings. CSShave come a long way since ‘Donkey’ and this album shows a great sense of maturity and expansion.

‘La Liberación’ is reviewed in the August issue of The Fly.