Kenna - 'Make Sure They See My Face'

An eclectic record’s blessing is that it has something for everyone to love; its curse is that is has something for everyone to hate as well. Such is the case for electro-pop maestro Kenna and his new, repeatedly delayed record Make Sure They See My Face. A follow-up to 2003’s excellent New Sacred Cow, which itself lingered in limbo for over a year before being officially released, Make Sure They See My Face is at times stubbornly eclectic—schizophrenic even, which is spelled out for the listener on skit “Blink Radio.” But while the diversity offered by piano ballad “Static” or top 40 pop-baiting tracks “Loose Wires” or “Say Goodbye to Love” may turn off some Kenna fans, the record as a whole is a solid blend of electronica, pop, funk, R&B and just a dash of rock.

For the most part, Make Sure They See My Face continues New Sacred Cow’s winning combination of Kenna and Chad Hugo (aka the guy from Neptunes who isn’t Pharrell Williams). Hugo beefs up his production to provide Kenna's croon with a wider palate of melancholic dance grooves. This is apparent right from the beginning cut, “Daylight.” The ambient noises and propulsive drum beat are enchantingly New Romantic.

The same could be said for first single and second track “Out of Control (State of Emotion).” New Sacred Cow was all about Kenna being a Fred Durst-approved sad bastard, but on “Out of Control,” he hits his breaking point, and shouts out a furious dance floor anthem in the process. It’s a huge deviation from his formula, but a bombastically delicious one.

Then the album reaches its leap of faith—a double shot of Pharell-produced tracks.

“Loose Wires” and “Say Goodbye to Love” will test the boundaries of guilty pleasures. “Loose Wires” is the catchier of the two, and it’s also very self-aware of its sellout status (“All the hits that I’ve been missin’/Been around that world once before”). Given time, these tracks’ appeal might shine through. Or, if you like anything the Neptunes ever produced, these tunes will go over right away.

Once listeners trudge through the setup and fallout of the first four songs, though, everything should go smoothly. Hugo returns to the controls, and it’s obvious that he knows Kenna’s strengths—synths, drums and new wave. “Sun Red Sky Blue,” “Face the Gun” rock and groove just as hard as “Out of Control,” and “While Awake” reprises Kenna’s sad dance party of old.

There’s two solid tracks that Kenna wrote on his own as well. Piano ballad “Static” doesn’t deliver as nicely as “Yenah Ababah (Rose),” but it’s still sweetly heard. The never-quite-overflowing build-up of “Be Still” combines with “Better Rise Up” and album ender “Wide Awake” to form a mellow trifecta of Cow-like proportions.

This record is schizophrenic; it’s either a strong sophomore record with a couple of throwaway pop tracks or a couple of pop tracks surrounded by miserable tunes. Either way, it’s recommended for fans of Bloc Party and Justin Timberlake alike.