Music review: Closer — I Hate This Place | 4/5

I Hate This Place is a Singapore-based electro-pop project that Sean Nerney set up back in 2004. Since 2007, I Hate This Place has had CDs released in Japan and has toured extensively across the Land of the Rising Sun. Despite this, it has remained relatively under the radar at home (notwithstanding a back catalogue of seven full albums). Hopefully, this situation will now change with the release of Closer. With reinforcements coming in the form of singer Gayle Nerva and guitarist Roman Tarrasov, I Hate This Place has delivered an appealing work of dancey, melodic electro-pop. At eleven tracks (including two updated versions of crowd favourites Rabbit Girl and Future Girl Retro Style), Closer is an accurate snapshot of where it stands circa 2013. Songs like Danger and Supernova are radio-friendly poles of extremes in the repertoire — the former being an edgy rocker while the latter is a pleasing ballad. The chemistry of the vocal interplay between Nerney and Nerva is nothing short of mesmerising and Tarrasov’s guitar licks will please the rock set. Fans of Postal Service, Owl City, Lights, Shiny Toy Guns, and Swimming With Dolphins will find much to appreciate here. I believe it’s time for Singapore music fans to get better acquainted with I Hate This Place.

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