Reinvention is possibly both the most difficult and rewarding thing a band can do for themselves, it has a pros and cons list that is a mile long. You could gain a whole new fan base but alienate those that were there from the start, who are begging for more of the same, or you could just simply crash and burn like so many others have or you could take a leaf out of Superfood’s book. Since 2014 the Birmingham duo have moved on from their Britpop infused debut album Don’t Say That and basically become producers by their own right.
Yes, the fuzzy guitars and loveable riffs still play a part in the bands second LP Bambino, but we see a whole new side to the duo. What we get from Dom Ganderton and Ryan Malcolm is a funky beat-filled album brimming with a variety of ideas, genres and that feel-good vibe Superfood always bring.
Album opener ‘Where’s the Bass Amp’ is a sample filled groove that would get any party going, the only way Superfood know how. Ganderton and Malcolm have always been intriguing songwriters, with Don’t Say That having plenty of magical moments but Bambino ups the ante. The hub of the album sees the two Birmingham boys really flex those songwriting muscles with 3 of the best tracks of the bands career; ‘Natural Supersoul’ is a natural progression from their debut with a slick guitar riff underlying the feel good chorus, followed by the best Superfood song to date, ‘Need A Little Spider’ which has the duo produce a thundering bass line accompanied by a guitar riff that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a Happy Mondays record, add the best vocals of Gandertons career to it and you have an instant hit; a song built for the live stage. We then get the slow bass driven groove of ‘Raindance’ that has Ganderton whispering in your ear until a disco inspired chorus leaves you in awe of the bands capabilities.
The singles slot in beautifully with ‘I Can’t See’ ‘Unstoppable’ and ‘Double Dutch’ providing more proof of the bands talents with the latter producing a perfect Avalanches inspired surreal adventure while ‘Unstoppable’ has that catchy pop hook that Superfood have become accustomed to providing us.
As you dig deeper with Bambino you’ll always find something new to love about it, the funky bass lines, the hypnotising synthesiser work, or the almost Aphex Twin esque interludes. Superfood aren’t a band under pressure anymore; they’ve been set free and have produced one of the albums of the year. It may not get the wide spread acclaims it deserves just yet but it takes time to fall in love and with an album this good it’s inevitable.