Mavien Bliss – Sumthin’ Special

By
The J
– April 26, 2010

Rating: ★★★★☆

There was a time in the late 80′s early 90′s when the airways and the clubs were ruled by the likes of Exposé, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, and many other ensemble acts that seamlessly weaved sassy r&b hooks into Latin based rhythms. In the early nineties house music and the New Jack movement pushed this hit making sound out of favor. Now, almost twenty years later, with pop music and specifically dance music once again dominating the charts new groups are bringing back the vocal flare and uptempo beats that had been absent for so long.

Mavien Bliss, pronounced Mah-Vee-En Bliss, is an L.A. based dance/pop group lead by the sassy and talented Vie Le a self-declared “Dragon Girl”. They are produced by the production team of Beat Royalty, Holland transplants signed to EMI, International. I came across the band from a Facebook friend who strongly suggested that Little Rat Bastard take a long look at this up and coming act before they take the world by storm and are too big to be bothered by the likes of our little music site, and he was right. Mavien Bliss is welcome relief from the current crop of dance music out there while bringing back a sound that I have missed for years.

‘Sumthin’ Special” is an eleven track debut for the California natives and it is packed from beginning to end with catchy tunes that all have the potential to chart. The into track, “If Only” starts the album off just right with it’s electro-beat and and smooth vocals, and it only gets better from here. A standout for me was, “L.A. Girls”, an almost Pet Shop Boys inspired call out to the ladies in the city of angles. It would be a crime if this track didn’t end up featured in the soundtrack of some upcoming movie or TV show, it’s the perfect backdrop to a fast cut montage of hip chicks in Hollywood hotspots showcasing some of what makes L.A. so irresistible. The title track “Somethin’ Special” genuinely has that something special that keeps it boppin’ around in your head for days until you get a chance to listen to again. The duet “Hopelessly In Love” between Vie Le and Marne is a playfully fun track depicting a tragic couple that seems to love each other as much as they love to hate one another.

The album closes with a surprising track entitled “Love Is…” that has such a strong classic Motown feel to it that you would swear you’ve heard it before, while still feeling a fresh as any of the other songs that make ‘Sumthin’ Special’ so great. If you have been longing for a reboot to the dance music of today, and love a strong female voice you’ve found it in Mavien Bliss.

Official Site / MySpace / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

Mavien Bliss – Sumthin’ Special

Track listing:

  1. If Only (featuring H.O.P.P.)
  2. Happily Ever After
  3. L.A. Girls
  4. You’ll Be The Death Of Me
  5. Still The One (featuring Ryan Toby)
  6. Love Without You
  7. Sumthin’ Special
  8. Enough
  9. Hopelessly In Love (featuring Marne)
  10. Reasons (If You Love Me)
  11. Love Is…

February 24, 2010 – Dutch Chemistry/Beat Royalty

Get It Now: iTunes / Amazon (CD) / Amazon (MP3)

Official Site / MySpace / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

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About The J

The J is approaching his middle agedness the same way he approaches everything, half-assed. He is East Coast raised, but is now roasting slowly in the desert. Musical tendencies sway towards; Old School Hip-Hop, Ska, Girl Pop, Lounge, Techno, and other crap. Favorite Artists include: Cake, Ben Folds, Bitter:Sweet, Weezer, Public Enemy, Fatboy Slim, and you.