"Staros" by Nina Hynes

a Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell

Nina Hynes' debut EP "Creation" promised much and now the full-length album is finally here. The Irish singer does not disappoint. She still makes evocative electronic based pop and her voice recalls Björk at times.

The speedy "Mono Prix" is a perfect pop moment that brings welsh band Catatonia to mind. But they never wrote a song this special. Its joyous feel and lovely melody is in a class of its own.

"Universal" has Hynes intoning the words in a Björk-ish way. The song is grandly orchestrated and has a stirring chorus.

The melancholy "Last Song of the 20th Century" describes our mad times in detail. Its poignancy is supported by Hynes' wide-eyed delivery.

"Dive" is intimate and surging with Hynes sounding like a siren come to bring sailors to their doom.

"Staros" is a charming and varied record that should appeal to most tastes.

Posted on November 12, 2002