Album Review: Vydamo - Becoming Human

Former Art vs. Science tunester Jim Finn is now Becoming Human as Vydamo. Kicking off this debut with the very radio friendly Hurricane (part of the rare, but underrated Oz Pop subgenre that centres on a chorus built mainly of long vowels sung in falsetto), the rest of the album does more of the same, but with some interesting turns. On the 'same' side, there's Bare Feet (again using some liberal 'woo hoos' to keep the lines a movin'), as well as lashings of '80s-style synth just because they can. See also Livin In The Sunshine for great '80s moments, here a touch of the INXS-es, complete with handclaps. The other big single, Gonna Make It, also provides lots to tap your toes to, but with a bit more complexity than the others (still fab, though, don't deny the fab-ness).

The left turn though comes with the album's odd pseudo ballads - tunes that jarred a bit when they were played live a few months back, but here make a great gear change (and perhaps just needed to be worn in a bit). The pace drops first with Let It Go (although not completely – it has a nice little shouty bit in the middle), but then Finn really slips back into a slower groove with the title track and The Future Was A Dream, the later with a distinct Ben Folds Five vibe.

While you will be disappointed if you go in wanting Art vs. Science (even the most happy-pop here isn't that scale of happy-pop), here Finn shows some distinct – and new – chops of his own. Listen without prejudice.