Sophomore release from Orange Juice! Rip It Up marked a departure from the jangly indie pop of Scottish band's debut, You Can't Hide Your Love Forever. There's a more evident studio production on songs like "Mud In Your Eye" and the reggae tinged "Breakfast Time." The band turned more towards synths, as well, with sounds that were new at the time popping up all over the album. This is most apparent on "Flesh Of My Flesh." What ends up drawing you in though, is the title track. "Rip It Up" was Orange Juice's only top 40 success and with even a cursory listen you can see why. They take a little guitar from the Nigel Rodgers book and pair it up with a bubbling Roland TB-303 bassline. It's a catchy ode to starting over that became the first chart single to feature the 303. There's really no denying the track. Limited edition 180 gram pressing. Peep the video for "Rip It Up" below.

• music label: Domino 2014

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 03/2014