UNIVERSAL POPLAB CASANOVA FALL SINGLE SUBSPACE COMMUNICATIONS, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: MAY 2, 2003 REVIEW: MAY 19, 2003

The image of vocalist Christer Lundberg says it all, actually: white, furry rabbit suit and a hairdo that would make Morrissey proud. The music of Swedish electro dance pop-hope Universal Poplab is playful, but with a serious note to it. Debut single "Casanova Fall" is no exception. Think Erasure, and by all means Marc Almond and his Soft Cell - from whom bonus track "Brilliant Creatures" is borrowed.
What we have here is thoroughly produced and masterly crafted danceable pop. Christer Lundberg, by the way a well known Swedish radio personality, loves kitchy synthpop, and techno producer Paul Lachenardière loves to create music that makes you want to dance and trip out. Combined they are unstoppable. The fact that the cover of "Brilliant Creatures" is almost as great as "Casanova Fall" isn’t a setback at all. Imagine being gifted enough to be able to make both beautiful originals and at the same time interpret the masters of the genre!
The two remixes of "Casanova Fall" that features on the single aren’t bad either - to say the least.
I can’t wait for the full-length album. Please let it be released this summer - then it won’t matter if the sun doesn’t shine, it will be on every dance floor Universal Poplab is played and in my heart too.

KALLE MALMSTEDT