This the debut album by German DJ turned electro-pop singer Chica Paula (aka Paula Schopf). She wrote and produced
42 Mädchen with
Max Loderbauer, under the name
Chica and the Folder. Vocals-wise, she is nothing extraordinary: low voice, little range and technique, some charm, but nothing to write home about. On the other hand, she doesn't play the ingenue stereotype. To help her out she brought in a couple of guest vocalists (Suzana Sucic for two songs,
Jorge González for another). Musically, the album is a bit scattered, some songs flirting with electro-clash, instrumentals making a foray into abstract beats, other tracks being downright dancefloor-friendly. Highlights include the electro-pop "Der Wolf und P," "A Certain Track," with González, the textural "Liturgy Beat," and a delightful cover of
Brian Eno's "I'll Come Running." Two tracks fail: "Daleko," a gratuitous, punkish song whose sole purpose seems to be to introduce variety in an already varied track list, and the closing "Max der Kiffer." The latter features cute children's voices manipulated in Max/MSP (or something similar) and peppering a beat-backed monotone soliloquy. The piece is too long at six minutes, and quickly loses momentum.
42 Mädchen is the work of a young artist searching for her voice, and coming very close to finding it. Because despite all the variety, the album comes through as a coherent proposition. There is wit, dare, and producing talent, all elements that promise a better follow-up. ~ François Couture