Amsterdam jazz outfit Radiohop exudes charm across their latest album, Hard To Handle. Belying its title, this collection of laid-back, unrushed tunes bestows on the listener delicious chords, funky rhythms, and an atmosphere that invites, nay, begs for chill vibes. Featuring Johnny Biner on guitar, Joshua Lutz on keys, Joel Svedberg on bass, and Euan Jenkins on drums, Radiohop skilfully blend their respective skills with panache on this sophomore release courtesy of Melting Pot Music.
Opener "Dummy" is a downtempo and darkish introduction to an album that mostly uplifts. "2Tons of Futons" sees sci-fi sound blips merge with a groovy bassline, and "Mad Flute" takes that canvas and applies said flute to hypnotic effect. The songs on Hard To Handle are mostly two-minute noodling experiments, like "IN THE RAIN" with muted guitar notes racing focused drums, and the old-timey bop of "Spooky Town", yet the brevity does not equate to being scant, and there's rich musicality here. The dulcet tones of "But This" are a highlight, while "EXCHANGE" boasts the collection's most memorable moment. The closing track, "hard to handle, hard to hold" is a beautiful ambient piece that soothes.
This is a collection for mood lifting and an often-needed reinvigoration of playfulness.
★★★★★