Robin Hannibal and Coco O.'s first
Quadron album generated a ripple effect that brought about numerous appearances and collaborations carried out separately and together. Tricky Stewart sought the Denmark duo to provide a caressing version of
Thriller deep jam "Baby Be Mine" for the
Think Like a Man soundtrack. They recorded a lush single with soul giant
Leon Ware.
Kendrick Lamar's "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" sampled "Tiden Flyver" by the
Boom Clap Bachelors. Coco appeared on albums by
the Internet and
Tyler, The Creator, as well as the soundtrack for
Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. As one-half of
Rhye, Hannibal -- who also produced the gorgeous "Lead the Way" for
Szjerdene -- made
Woman, which debuted well within the top half of the Billboard 200. Now signed to Sylvia Rhone's Epic-associated Vested in Culture label,
Quadron fill out and commercialize their sound a little, but neither clutter nor compromise it, on
Avalanche. The most striking turn is "Hey Love," a rollicking number co-produced by Fraser T. Smith (
Leona Lewis,
Taio Cruz,
Florence + the Machine). It's an obvious bid for a pop hit. Coco's voice once seemed built for wispy, dazed material like "Slippin'," yet it turns out that she's just as fit for a grand, thumping backdrop. The pool of resources is much deeper; some of the songs were recorded in seven different studios with a longer list of session musicians, and there's vocal production from the A-list Kuk Harrell and a guest appearance from Lamar. Despite that, the album has all of the charm, nuance, and lingering effect of the debut. Lush, cushiony grooves are supplied on "LFT," "Favorite Star," and "Neverland," the last of which conveys the isolation and hopelessness felt by a
Michael Jackson impersonator. That song just happens to be followed by the sparkling "It's Gonna Get You," which makes like the resuscitation of an
MJ and
Stevie Wonder cut intended for release between
Thriller and
In Square Circle. Those who were attracted to the first album's quiet, lithe moments get some of the same through "Befriend," "Sea Salt," and "Avalanche" -- airy romantic ballads with perfectly slight touches of woodwinds, strings, and even pedal steel guitar. While Coco and Hannibal are doing it a little less softly now, they're still killing 'em. ~ Andy Kellman