Gui Boratto ‎– Take My Breath Away

TAKE MY BREATH AWAY suggests something of a sophomore slump for Gui Boratto, who can still turn out pumpers as with his first album, but not quite with the same magic. The title track gets things off on the right foot, and "Atomic Soda" has a nice burble that won't leave you burping, even as it takes an almost martial tack. The pleasant "Colors" takes the BPMs down for a bit, but it's all a run-up to the obvious hit of the album, "No Turning Back." Much like "Beautiful Life," "No Turning Back" strikes that perfect balance of pop and techno, with a Peter Hook-like bass for good measure ("Besides" will carry the New Order comparison even further). The rest of the album, however... Okay, it's not bad. "Azurra" is funky enough, but the last four tracks in particular seem to go nowhere fast. Both "Ballroom" and "Eggplant," in particular, drag on, and are essentially interchangeable. Even the piano ending of the delicate "Godet" seems a few notes too many. It's not like Boratto to be dull, but there you have it.