Released: 13 August 2021
Da Buzz are ready to dance again with their first album in 15 years.
‘Wanna See You Dance With Me’, their first album since 2006’s Last Goodbye, sees the group reduced to a duo, with singer Annika Thörnquist and musician Per Lidén taking the reins this time around.
But the line-up change hasn’t affected the music, with the pair ditching their trademark dance-pop fromage for an album rooted firmly in Eurodance territory.
The transition pays off; album opener and title track Wanna See You Dance With Me is classic Da Buzz, showcasing Annika’s standout vocals over slick beats – a combination that characterises the album.
Nine of the 12 songs on the album are pre-release tracks, such as recent cuts Slow It Down and Eurythmics cover Here Comes The Rain Again, along with a new version of Wonder Where You Are – originally featured on their 2002 album ‘Wanna Be With Me?’ – which has already amassed almost 1.5 million Spotify streams.
The lack of new music can be jarring – particularly for those who have followed the group since their renaissance – but there’s a more pressing issue with ‘Wanna See You Dance With Me’.
With hits like Let Me Love You, Dangerous, Alive and Do You Want Me?, the group made a name for themselves with euphoric, singalong choruses, which are noticeably absent on the new record.
Perhaps it’s a statement move – and one that works in the context of the record – but moving forward, Da Buzz would be foolish not to embrace their legacy and bring their classic sound up to date for longtime fans and new listeners alike.
