Hairless Toys

AlbumMay 11 / 20158 songs, 50m 27s
Art Pop Electronic
Popular

A decade on from *Ruby Blue*’s avant-jazz and eight years after the glistening disco of *Overpowered*, Ireland’s abiding electropop queen stylishly retakes her throne on this sumptuous, ever-shifting third solo album. Murphy (alongside Moloko collaborator and new co-writer Eddie Stevens) isn’t afraid to hurl new ideas into an already-brimming pot, as evidenced by the spaghetti western drama of “Exile” and the escalating synth-funk atmospherics on “Exploitation”. There’s always cohesion to match the fearless sonic questing, though. And at the heart of it all–with that breathy, brittle falsetto–is Murphy’s matchless delivery.

Roisin's first album in 8 years, Hairless Toys is a career defining tour de force. Tipping its hat to the dark disco of European house music, Casablanca Records and Grace Jones, while seamlessly taking in the freedom and organic spirit of jazz, country and gospel. Hairless Toys is a Mercury Prize shortlisted album.

7.4 / 10

The Irish singer's first full-length album since 2007’s Overpowered is wildly unpredictable, moving from torch songs to extended disco bangers, and the variety suits her.

7 / 10

The former Moloko front-woman returns with her first LP in seven years, inspired by the NYC drag ball scene.

Discover Hairless Toys by Róisín Murphy released in 2015. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

5.0 / 10

Coming up during the era where a guy making beats with a girl vocalizing was most commonplace, even then Róisín Murphy couldn't create music that correctly fell in step with her peers.

7 / 10

6 / 10

Róisín Murphy’s third album is her most exquisitely produced yet, a hedonistic haven of exploratory disco

Album Reviews: Róisín Murphy - Hairless Toys

Review: This album is the work of an artist perfectly in tune with pop’s current predilections

Eagerly anticipated latest from a singer who abhors the obvious. CD new music review by Thomas H Green