Robotnik
‘Pleasant Square’
(Angry Xmas)

The debut album from 27-year-old Dubliner Chris Morrin is an accomplished and diverse collection containing 15 tracks that are devilishly eccentric and infuriatingly enjoyable.

Fusing an eclectic mix of hip-hop, sampled sounds, lo-fi acoustics and organic beats, Morrin references everyone from Daniel Johnston, Yo La Tengo, David Byrne and Avalanches in his warm and zany soundscapes.

‘Pleasant Square’ takes us on a richly-layered and childlike ramble through the psyche of this new Irish talent as he throws caution to the wind, hopping and skipping his way through a myriad of genres and musical sketches.

Robotnik has no shortage of ideas as he draws us into his madcap wonderland of spooky arrangements, topsy-turvy guitars and wobbly electronics.

A true original, the young Dubliner has created an utterly likeable debut that leaves you gasping from its ebullient abandon and zealous warmth. ‘People Walk Away’, a track that wouldn’t be out of place on Beck’s ‘Odelay,’ is an infectiously catchy and powerful pop tune.

The daft and wonderfully-titled ‘I Found Jesus In The Year 2027’ is equally dark and delicious in a strange nightmarish kind of way. The sensitive dancey-vibe of ‘The Master’ calls to mind eighties electro pop pioneers Depeche Mode and Erasure.

‘I Get Excited’ finds our geeky friend flashing us a glimpse of his sensitive side as his vocals evoke the late Elliott Smith, while ‘Michael Grady Went To Mexico’ is a pure burst of off-the-wall pop candy.

An overall pleasant and far from square listening experience, Robotnik gives the Irish singer/songwriter genre a high-voltage shot in the arm. - (4/5)

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