Shiok Waves is the UK release for CC Sound Factory, which sees her writing, producing and performing the entirety of her work. The contemporary electronic scene has already embraced CC's music and on the evidence of Shiok Waves it won't be too long before everyone else succumbs to the brilliance of CC Sound Factory.
Shiok Waves opens with Crazy Nasty a brilliant breakbeat friendly number complete with throbbing electronics and a delightful vocal coo that waves at Bjork from the dancefloor.
CC welds together dancefloor beats with ambient textures while seducing the listener with her bewitching vocals on So Shiok (Original Mix), you don't know whether to dance to it or sink into your sofa and let her ethereal vocals melt the day away. So Shiok is both music to get up and music to get down to, CC effortlessly crosses genres to create a completely unique take on electronica that anyone with a passing interest will be hooked on.
A number of different remixes of both So Shiok and Club Nasty pass by, each one adding something new or different to the already potent musical stew, of particular interest is the K.O Star Remix of So Shiok which takes the original track in a completely different direction with a darkwave/industrial makeover, thrashed guitars and pounded metallic beats collide over CC's origianl vocals creating a disorientating, powerful track that I could imagine tearing up the floor at Camden's Electric Ballroom.
We're also handed a couple more CC Sound Factory originals in the shape of Breathless and Thaw, the former another seductive electronic track with beautiful vocals and haunting soundscapes, whilst the latter is a dreamlike piano based instrumental dusted with light electronics, producing a near out of body experience for the listener.
Over the nine tracks featured on this CD (and a music video) I found myself captivated by CC Sound Factory's vision and her effortless ability to to straddle and splice a plethora of musical genres.
- Will Munn, RBFanzine
CC Sound Factory's debut release (is it an album? Is it an EP?), 'Shiok Waves' is a punchy work of contemporary pop electronica. Singapore born CC's musical world has been referred to as "haphazard"; she calls on her indie/rock background for inspirational punch as she frequently colours her infectious electronica with mildly rockin' fx and gritty pop-ability.
CC is not yer run-of-the-mill electro DJ/producer - CC's work combines all the usual pulsating, trance-inducing electro beats and soaring, intoxicating electronica but infused therein there's often a gritty indie attitude - experimentation within experimentation - layers within layers forming Bjork-like soundscapes that retain dance-ability and pop sensibility but tease the senses with originality and aural juxtaposition.
Instrumentally, CC Sound Factory errs on the dance/club side of electronica but when she adds vocals and rock fx to the mix she moves into other realms altogether; her sensual vocals turn things around somewhat as CC shows her penchant for musical diversity with genre-cross-over. I guess Bjork would be the closest parallel to make with CC Sound Factory; although perhaps less experimental and ground-breaking, CC Sound Factory does 'play' with sound in a very persuasive way.
Typically, this release, containing nine tracks and a video, does the remix-edit thing that I tend to dislike. Opening with impressive tracks in 'Crazy Nasty' and 'So Shiok (Original Mix)' we then go into three 'remix' and/or 'edit' versions of the latter before getting back to original territory with the excellent 'Breathless' and finally the beautifully ethereal 'Thaw'. No, wait, now it's bonus tracks time - 'Crazy Nasty' makes a return as an 'ext. dub' and then another 'So Shiok' (club mix) thingy. (Sorry, but I still don't get the whole remix/edit/dub thing that comes with electro/dance music.) The 'enhanced audio CD' comes with 'So Shiok Music Video'.
CC has a way with voices and vocals and instrumental dynamics that set her apart from many of her electronica contemporaries; for me, just like Bjork, that's her trump card and she should play it more often within 'original' songs and concentrate less on 're-mixes' and 'edits'.
- ToxicPete.co.uk
This is definitely a breath of fresh air in terms of the music currently being thrown at me left right and centre by the mainstream labels, who seem to be concerned with churning out monotonous indie tracks without any beat or dance feel. Here's a track by track review.
Crazy Nasty - could feature on the B list as a outside bet for a future club hit, the vocalist's velvety, yet strong, voice is very engaging, and I can imagine it sending goose bumps among clubbers. Can see where the Bjork reference comes from.
So Shiok - Really enjoyed the Original Mix and the DJ Saiba Remix was ace. Liked the Club Mix too.
Breathless - reminded me of Jem (on the album Come on Closer) and could do well as part of a chill out set. Take this to Ibiza.
- KUBEradio.com
CC Sound Factory is a new name in electro that offers a lot of ideas in a fairly unique way. Though the packaging to the release may look a little cheap and will probably put off some journalists from listening or taking the artist seriously, I'm glad that I did. Firstly, this must be the first artist from Singapore I've heard who doesn't fit into the usual Asian-pop stereotypes. This is no Melt Banana, but this is no generic output either; instead there is a credibility that references the likes of Bjork and, more so than anyone, the smart-dance sounds of Sneaker Pimps. While remixes of So Shiok take centre-stage there is enough variety to suggest longetivity and a bright future.
CC Sound Factory writes, produces and performs the music and when you consider that she is just the one person, the music here is all the more remarkable. Not perfect yet, but certainly a real talent, you could do a lot worse than check out So Shiok. If electro-dance is your thing then CC Sound Factory have it, almost, made.
- Whisperinandhollerin.com
'Crazy Nasty' combines some great electro house with some raw and rocking female vocals, CC Sound Factory looks set for big things and this release is a great sleazy dancefloor release.
- Track It Down
Funkalicious, electro disco anthem for our generation… with impressive nods to Chicago house, acid house and the slinky, cool, NY art scene…
- Jeremy Chicks, Subba Cultcha
Breathless’]…[a]mazing melodic anthem with good vocal and fast beats – we love it!
- 3BeatsDigital
…a hybrid cross genre…turning a lot of ears…
- Internet DJ
CC Sound Factory transcends stylistic barriers by successfully combining urban dance textures with the compositional elements of rock music. ‘So Shiok’ is a trip in to the contemporary challenges of modern urban life. It speaks the universal language of today in composition, sound and arrangement choices, delivered with the truthful emotional attitude of our digital ‘lifescape’.
- Roli Mosimann, producer Faith No More, New Order, The Young Gods, Gravity Kills
'Crazy Nasty' by CC Sound Factory ... excellent stuff! Sounds very much like something (DJ) Erol Alkan would play at Club Nights TRASH in London.... it's going to go a long way...
- Chris Mooney, Arena Magazine UK
An electronic bed with touches of cyber-worldly vocals and production flourishes. Compelling, bold and unforgettable experience. The most unique that I have heard in some time...
A very developed and challenging view into the artistry of CC's world.This was an unexpected and wild ride of sonic collages!
There is an odd kitschiness to CC's electronic world, music has an interesting cross cultural style to it.
- Taxi Review
The music sounds amazing !... Her sound is a complete mix between Bjork and Moby.... I don't know what the title means but [So Shiok] puts me in a good mood and makes me want to go out and have a good time.... the melody is great and it kept me interested the whole time...
- Bobby Borg, The Musician's Handbook
...cannot quite tell why but I find myself to really like this track (Not Nice!). Very interesting arrangements and the forced collision between very different instruments is quite effective!
Edgy drive and richly propulsive grooves!
Bizarre and unique. This song (So Shiok) really captures the moment. The pace and confusion, it puts you there, completely. Very cool!
- Broadjam Review
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