MONKEY MAJIK - If

Pop rock "hybrid" four-piece MONKEY MAJIK took a bit of a break from recording in 2012 when they went on an Asian tour. 17th single If is their first since HERO from last January, and it was released February 27th.

The guys have gone for a rock ballad for this release. The unpromising cheesy piano intro thankfully passes quickly, and the song almost instantly rises in likeability as soon as the rock instruments kick in. The Plant brothers' vocals have taken a soft, dreamy turn here, and it's actually more the instrumental backing that packs more of the power. The piano leads with its repeating melody, leaving the bass and guitars to provide comforting chords whilst drummer Takuya gives it a well-needed bit of percussive punch. The track is, however, one dimensional from start to finish - there are no changes in volume, tempo or any surprises at all and the chorus is predominantly just three notes. Despite this it remains a pleasant bit of soothing rock until the end, with no frills or flourishes.

The English B-side The Apprentice is, at under three minutes, a brief bit of dramatic electronic rap-rock. It has been used as the closing theme to the "J-MELO" show since January, apparently inspired by comments from worldwide viewers of the show. With its pounding beats, constant use of reverse cymbal effects and the tacked on synth strings, it has all the subtlety of a helicopter plowing into the side of a skyscraper. Perhaps it was twinned with the gentler If to provide a testosterone hit in contrast.

While there's nothing exceptional about this latest single, If delivers in terms of memorability and is four minutes of romantic escapism. Hopefully MONKEY MAJIK will give us something more magical in the rest of 2013.