Rating:
Queer Rating: 

Summary
HK119 is the solo project of Heidi Kilpelainen, a Finnish-born multitalented writer-singer-producer. The Lucas-inspired name is itself a product code – an attempt to bring awareness to the contradictions of our society and the increasing alienation of the modern man. 

Drawing influence from early David Bowie and Kraftwerk among myriad others, Fast, Cheap and Out of Control is a tongue-in-cheek warning of sorts, issued in the common language of pop music. The resultant product is an album of uncompromising, thought-provoking futuro-pop which pleases and disturbs in equal measure.

Verdict
Good pop music should often push the boundaries and have an edginess about it that makes you ask questions about its own existence. In many ways, that’s what Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control is successful in doing. It is evident that HK119 has the spirit and enthusiasm to put together a really solid collection of songs. Unfortunately, she doesn’t always get it right.

Read Our Interview With HK119 »
Click to read why Heidi Kilpelainen is a unique star that demands immediate investigation.

Gallery

Video

Full Review
I’ve always been a firm believer that good pop music should often push the boundaries and have an edginess about it that makes you ask questions about its own existence. And in many ways, that’s what Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control is successful in doing.

To start with, there’s the slightly curious addition of a cigarette in the jewel case spine, given away presumably to reflect the style of the music on the disc itself and enhance listening pleasure. It’s anyone’s guess if any fans will actually smoke the gift, but I would imagine some who had actually heard the music on its accompanying CD will ask questions about what’s mixed with the tobacco.

You’re probably right in thinking that HK119 sounds like something out of a George Lucas movie, because this album focuses upon themes like Space Travel, Mind Control and the irritation that is celebrity. HK119 is actually the product code of Heidi Kilpelainen who hails from Finland and is a graduate of St Martin’s College in London. Described by Bjork as “the perfect blonde woman”, vocally she’s a dead ringer for punk singer Nina Hagen – all spiky growling and raspy howling. And that’s not the only comparison which comes to mind after listening to her second album, the follow-up to her 2006 self-titled debut solo album.

If there’s anything in HK’s favour, it’s her energy and taste for experimentation. Opener ‘Mind’ begins with brooding guitar dizziness (think Placebo’s ‘Taste In Men’) and stabbing electro beats. Within seconds you’re half expecting Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan to start crooning. The very 80s sounding ‘Clone’ (isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?) with its tribal drum rolls, sounds like a throwback to Adam & The Ants, with what sounds like the offspring electronic meowing cats from Human League’s ‘Love Action’.

Co-produced by Dean Honer and Jarrod Gosling of I Monster / All Seeing I, the album somehow manages to cram in an array of sounds heard from the 70s right through to the present day, which can often leave the listener a tad confused as to HK119’s real musical identity. But it is a trip that you will want to repeat after the first listen, and the songs do get stronger the more you hear them.

Much like many modern day punk artists (and if there is a category I would stick HK119 in it would be here) Heidi Kilpelainen’s lyrical work is a rant against government and society. “Do you remember when it was possible to smoke in cinemas, buses, cafes and planes? / I miss the freedom so bad” she rants on 'Liberty'. And like much punk material, it’s a really exciting listen, even if the subject matter is as dull as the smoking ban.

The dreamy ‘Space Part 1’ (which is followed up by a concluding part later on) is more optimistic, only because it’s an escapist dream for HK to get off the planet. And it’s fitting that an ambient electronica song about space travel should sound so much like Air.

One thing you couldn’t really credit HK with is a superb singing voice, but she certainly crafts it in a beguiling way. Part Saffron (Republica) part Grace Jones, she uses her tool mainly to speak or spit out lyrics of anger and dismay, but adds melody with backing vocal.

Comparisons aside, it is evident that HK119 has the spirit and enthusiasm to put together a really solid collection of songs, but unfortunately she doesn’t always get it right.

Ultimately, the main problem with Fast, Cheap and Out of Control is it’s constantly changing identity. Sure, there are great moments and memorable hooks, but it’s the sound of someone trying too hard, and often the negativity can become slightly irksome. The lounge-jazz-electro hybrid of ‘Celeb’ (complete with sound effects of champagne bottles popping) is one of the main culprits here. “I took heroin / I took mescaline / I took cocaine, acid, valium and some codeine / I had alcohol poisoning / I had a deep desire to destroy myself from within” HK sings on ‘Celeb’. With so many other vibrant punk pop gems on this album, it’s a shame she has to throw in a few downers. And as nice a gesture as it may have been, that free ciggie isn’t going to persuade this non-smoker to take up a new habit!

Fast, Cheap and Out of Control, by HK119
Label: One Little Indian
Released: 29 September 2008
ASIN: B001DCQJOK

Buy Fast, Cheap and Out of Control online now. You'll save money to put towards her first album, HK119.