Bent - Programmed To Love

Bent's first full effort directly hits the jackpot, there's no pressure - not that there ever seems to be, only skills, passion and humour. This translates 'Programmed To Love' into a gorgeous album, with a laugh and a cry, played and constructed straight from the corazón - it's like there's no 'sweat' in Bent's dictionary, only 'sweet' : no unnecessary angles or tricks in their music, just let it gently flow, and don't fight that upcoming smile on your face. I like to imagine this being recorded on a lazy, sunny saturday afternoon in August, a bunch of friends, too much red wine and too little to worry about, spontaneously followed by an improvised barbecue and a campfire till sunrise. Hey Mark, do you still play that guitar of yours ? Aaaight ! So Lisa, I was told you've got a lovely voice, let's hear it ! Given the duo's constructing and producing skills, ear for samples and total lack of pretension, this could only result in the warm, embracing album 'Progammed To Love' is.

Bent’s first album Programmed to Love (in one of its many, many incarnations) still manages today to rise the top of the downtempo stew. They manage to infuse a good amount of fun into their music, whether by using strange samples in their creations or by singing some rather cheeky lyrics (listen to “Chocolate Wings,” for example –- it’s not often you hear and ode to anal sex like that). Each of the songs has something different to recommend it highly; there’s surprisingly little filler material (except for the intentionally short interludes between songs). Standouts include: “I Love My Man,” “A Ribbon For My Hair,” and “Irritating Noises.” Zoe Johnson contributes her unique voice to “Always” and “Swollen.” It’s not too often when an album can have you smiling all the way through: one listen and you’ll be programmed to love this album.