The Last Word: Kenna Releases New Album Using Tired “Pay What’s On The Price Tag” Scheme

Nearly every week, we round up the all-important, all-summarizing last sentences of the biggest new-music reviews. Today’s entry is Kenna’s Make Sure They See My Face, which comes out on CD tomorrow, since the new Disco disc by the Pet Shop Boys has not yet been extensively reviewed (to the dismay of the Idolator staff):

“The songs aren’t terribly memorable, but several cuts offer imaginative mash-ups: On “Sun Red Sky Blue,” Kenna belts out a first-rate chorus over a beat built on syncopated scratch guitar, evoking classic U2, only funkier. “Say Goodbye to Love” — one of two songs produced by Hugo’s partner Pharrell Williams — finds Kenna moaning like an Eighties Brit boy over wonky, hooky electro bounce. Who knows whether this’ll be the hit the first album wasn’t. For now, call it one to grow on. ” [RS Online]

“Still it’s unclear just what face Kenna hopes to show the world. He has characterized the album as “a search for identity,” which might be true. But that doesn’t mean he really wants, or needs, to be understood.” [NY Times]

“Make Sure They See My Face is a fantastically fearless sophomore effort. Always pushing the boundaries of the genres he dabbles in, his sonic experiments are enthralling listens. Kenna consistently swings for the fences, and hits more over-your-head home runs than pop outs. If you can handle an artist that refuses to dress up his music in a nice familiar package, Kenna’s electrifying dance floor rock might be just what you need.” [IGN]