NU MUSIC - Muscles - Manhood

After the MASSIVE singles "Ice Cream" and "Sweaty" where was Muscles to go but develop into his Manhood by putting Melbourne's electro scene back on the map, he does so opening up with the catchy "Kiss Hello" & just as this finishes a bangin' solid as beat kicks in with "Boys Become Men". I often think would Muscles be better off with some guest vocalists, Simian Mobile Disco style style, I sometimes drift off when I hear his vocals kick in and wish for maybe a Sarah McLeod or female vocal to step up to the mic, he has some diva moments in the music he makes and for an artist to stick around you need to diversify.

The single release "Ready for a Fight" is nice enough with another BIG beat with his vocals layered over the top while "Heatwave" is a possible single option for Muscles, it has a very commercial sound that could be sandwiched between a David Guetta/Nicki Minaj number and a Calvin Harris floor filler. "Brainfreeze" does exactly that it hits your head hard like you had drunk too much slurpie too quick at the latest Step Up movie.

It's hard to believe it's been 5 years since his last effort, back in 2007 music was so different the top selling albums of that year came from the likes of Avril Lavigne, Amy Winehouse, The Eagles (WTF) and Alicia Keys. Justin Timberlake was one of the biggest selling solo artists and Kanye West got stronger and a whole lot more commercially accepted. 2012 has seen the explosion of next big things, One Direction (bringing boy bands back), Dance gets a new king with Avicii and indie cool kids are all over Lana Del Ray. Where will we be for Muscles next release and where will music be at.

The very early single release of "Girl Crazy Go" gives you a midway "I Know this banger" and it has aged well and fits well next to tunes like "The Night", which at track seven if you think an album has an identity or a personality this album would be an 18 year old boy or girl wearing fluoro and getting pumped about this years Parklife line up. /Muscles gets his Australiana on with some homage to our most lovely cuddly animal the Koala on the later part of the album. "Koala" has some massive "let's get those disco sticks out" moments and builds well, I have a feeling the tail end of the album is were all the gems are hidden as "Just Breathe" is also a great little tune.

Tracks 10-12 round out the album and show this album has been worth the wait, how long will Muscles appeal last, maybe at least until the new Presets record drops.

Muscles shows us his Manhood, a solid collection of dancefloor fillers, will you cut a rug to this?

Buy Muscles’ album Manhood from Getmusic – out now.