¡viva la graham!

i’ve written another short review for dancemusic.about.com. you’ve probably never heard of bitter:sweet, and they’re worth checking out, so keep reading!

“vocalist shana halligan and producer/composer kiran shahani, the los angeles duo known as bitter:sweet, have produced a perfectly pleasant bossa nova/electro-pop record with their debut release, the mating game.

with hints of morcheeba, portishead, zero 7 and goldfrapp, nearly every track would sound right at home on one of the sultry hotel costes compilations. like those collections, the mating game is an ideal choice for casual cocktail parties and after-hours chill out sessions alike.

halligan’s relaxed vocals suit the modern lounge bill superbly, especially on standouts like the gorgeous “bittersweet faith,” album-opener “don’t forget to breathe,” and the luxuriant title track. though shahani (formerly of supreme beings of leisure) hardly orchestrates an innovative sound-it’s safe to say that wasn’t his intention-he deserves credit for bringing an effortless sophistication to the entire set.

fittingly, bitter:sweet have found success on stylish soundtracks, with songs appearing in the devil wears prada and episodes of nip/tuck, entourage and grey’s anatomy. slightly chic and wholly inoffensive, the mating game delivers when it comes to blending into the background beautifully. if that’s your bag, baby, this is where it’s at.”