The name Sally Shapiro refers to both the Swedish duo, consisting of the producer Johan Agebjorn and an anonymous singer, as well as the pseudonym of the singer herself. This dynamic duo have been together for about five years after meeting while singing Christmas Carols together. In 2007 the duo released their debut album Disco Romance here in the States which garnered heaping amounts of critical acclaim. After a short tour of the States and the release of producer Johan's solo album, the band began to work on their second album. Entitled, My Guilty Pleasure the album is pretty much truth in advertising as this record is so good that's it's irresistible no matter if you like dance music or not.
Often called an Italo-disco artist by the ever genre-tastic placing music press, Sally Shapiro really isn't. Sure, the duo has an over abundance of synthesized 80's influences, but instead, Sally Shapiro comes off as a brilliant hybrid between 80's freestyle pop ala Expose and the shimmery sugary brilliance of St. Etienne at their best. Sally Shapiro and Johan Agebjorn create dance floor friendly tunes that are exciting enough not only to those who live on the floor but for those who are scared by the thought of shuffling to the beat of anything. It's an electronic motivational tool and while it's a bit commercial at times, the productions are so crisp and so addictive that it simply doesn't matter, a strong song is a strong song no matter how much gloss is put on it.
My Guilty Pleasure, in addition to previous comparisons, at times remind me of Club 8 so much that I had to reach for those records and listen to them as a refresher. The confectionary-like hooks that are all over this record are so plentiful and so tasty that I had to make an appointment with my dentist after listening to this a few times; I had a cavity. This is a purely upbeat record that gathers steam as it goes along and builds into a giant dance pop juggernaut that throws you around on the dancefloor with sparkly spangly spunkiness. It's icy and cool but it's oh so sweet and when they named this record, My Guilty Pleasure they surely weren't kidding as I've had trouble removing this from my ears no matter how commercial it might sound.
From the Power 96(Yes! - Miami Editor) like jam of "Save Your Love" to the hit in the waiting of "Moonlight Dance" My Guilty Pleasure never ceases to be a fantastic pop record. Rooted in the 80's and run through a 90's indie disco, Sally Shapiro has an album that has cross genre appeal and songs that could seduce a seductress. My Guilty Pleasure is one of my favorites of the year and whether or not Sally Shapiro is actually Italo can be debated all day. When you've got songs as good as these, you can't help but ask...Does it really matter?
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