Reviewed by Andy Cooper

This is dba's first album on their new label and is an absolute stunner. It took a long time to appear, so it was expected to be something special, but this has surpassed all my expectations! There are 10 new songs, one cover version (an old Howard Jones number) and one intriguing instrumental. Every song is memorable, catchy and very well written. No clichés in the lyrics and no plagiarism of other people's riffs, as is often found in dance-pop music. The last track is the exception: a wonderful pastiche of a certain spy-movie theme tune! The lyrics are mature and autobiographical, exploring a whole variety of thoughts, emotions and events in a fresh way. The music ranges from forceful to dreamy, emotive to chilling, always staying interesting and bang up to date. Most tracks are an uptempo and uplifting mixture of trance, house and pop, including shortened versions of the previously released "Smiling Girl" and "Go With The Sun". "Oceans Of Love" is particularly inspiring, and "Bunsen Burner" is the most fun love song ever! I can't remember listening to a dance CD so much: every song has many ear-catching features in the programming which you don't necessarily pick up at first. And it is unusual to find so many great dance songs on the same album by the same artist: this is a rare and precious gem.

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