Sean MacLeod has created something quite special with his track “Cool Charisma,” one that is able to be simultaneously refreshingly contemporary and nostalgic. This new record is a clear indication that the former Cisco frontman has not lost his way in writing catchy pop tunes and this new release shows exactly why he has managed to forge a successful solo career since the break-up of the band.
The first thing that impresses you is the catchiness of the song. All those gleaming guitar riffs go through the song with a purpose and it is backed by fast drumming that makes everything run in the undeniable motion. The structure demonstrates the knowledge that MacLeod has of traditional pop structure – especially in the way the sections are intermingled with the dynamics, where the pre-chorus leads into the anticipation of the call-and-response chorus that follows.
The production is melodious and is reminiscent of the Beatles and Beach Boys but contains indie sensibilities of the modern era. The vocals of MacLeod contain several layers of harmonies, which provide the song with a significant depth, contributing to the energetic feeling without being too heavy on the necessary element of pop. It has the lightness of touch which does not betray the pains taken.
As an employee of the former producer of U2, Paul Barrett when he worked at Cisco, MacLeod was taught well the importance of quality production. But “Cool Charisma” is never tiresome, it has a quality of lightness, and even after one has heard the song several times it becomes a real treat. The music is meant to motivate the movement and it does do so splendidly.
MacLeod has never been short of either sixties pop, folk, classical, or even experimentalism of the avant-garde, and even though “Cool Charisma” is packed to the brim with classic indie pop, you can tell that there is greater musical intelligence behind every decision. It is indie pop done with authority and style–evidence that the classics last long because they have a purpose. An exhaustively pleasant sequel to the increasing MacLeod solo repertoire.
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