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Roll Deep - Picture Perfect [Single]

Self Released

by MartinF, December 8th, 2011 and has been Read 1046 times.
Last Edited by: Ffion Davies December 9th, 2011.

On first listen, I wrote off the latest single from Roll Deep as nothing more than proof. Proof that all their releases now merge into one extended discourse about big nights and seizing the moment, whilst making a statement about the central importance of House-style synths and formulaic female vocals. (Don’t believe me? Listen to 30 seconds each of ‘Picture Perfect’, ‘Good Times’ and ‘Green Light’. You’ll feel like you’re in the audio version of a hall of mirrors).

I soon realised, however, that I was wrong. In fact, ‘Picture Perfect’ is potentially the starting point for much wider avenues of musical exploration. Can Roll Deep’s current sound, which is far removed from some of their earlier, grimier offerings, see below be positioned as part of a wider trend in the last few years; sup-par U.K rap/dance style fusions from the likes of Chipmunk, Tinchy Strider, N-Dubz, Example etc?

WATCH! Roll Deep - Badman

Can the song’s fixation on photographing each BEST NIGHT EVER as it happens be seen as symptomatic of the social currency of Facebook photos amongst young people, who now seem more bothered about capturing their activities on film as opposed to actually enjoying them?

Why do so many dance/R&B/hip-hop-lite songs now revolve around lazy references to “the best night of your/our life” or being in/at/on the way to “the club”?...

I apologise. Back to the song itself. The video’s aesthetic is an orthodox one of sun-drenched carefree partying. Most of the boys seem to have been caught up in the fallout of simultaneous explosions in Topman, Burton and River Island, apart from one guy who looks like Danny Dyer’s little brother playing hip-hop dress-up.

Musically, ‘Picture Perfect’ is like an audio flat-pack kit that is designed for Tiger Tiger dancefloors nationwide. It’s got the dancy-bits, it’s got the choruses (courtesy of Tania Foster), and it’s got raps which offer little to no impact. Example: “It’s one of those nights to remember, hence, I’ll be back in November”. All this line seems to indicate is an intention to seek out cheap European winter holiday deals. I’m not sure if that was the goal.

WATCH! Roll Deep - Picture Perfect

Anyway, I don’t think the song will do quite as well as their previous two singles but it should chart OK and get a fair bit of play in mainstream – not used pejoratively, simply as a convenient adjective – clubs.

Obviously, in the face of any musical criticism Roll Deep themselves would probably point out that “work” for them currently consists of jumping around in Mediterranean swimming pools which are filled with more bikini-clad women than water. Given that they’ve grafted to get into that situation, I would imagine they’re not overly concerned with some negative press, and fair play to them.

Still, the only thing perfect about their new track is how it exemplifies the depths plumbed by some U.K music trends.

Oh, for the days of 'Shake A Leg'.