People of a certain age will remember Manda Rin's old band Bis for one thing in particular - being the first act ever to appear on Top of the Pops without a record deal. It was a sweet moment. Kandy Pop and their similar lo-fi EP's were a breath of fresh air amid the increasingly stale slew of Britpop chancers. They were bratty, punky and sounded undeniably unique.
It comes as a shame therefore to hear Manda Rin's debut solo single sounding so similar to the current flotsam and jetsam of the electro/indie set. My DNA has all the voguish ingredients - 4/4 kicks, retro synths backing up the chorus and a bassist pretending to be Bernard Edwards - but sadly the results sound a little tired and hackneyed.
Perhaps after years of being seen as slightly obscure and leftfield, she wants to join the New Young Pony Club, CSS and the like in the uncritical world of club-friendly indie dance. But anyone expecting even a hint of Bis's tang will sadly be let down by this.
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