EP Review: Pol Sembrano – Anywhere
Some years ago, there was a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live featuring two dudes in the then-modern-day equivalent of sharkskin suits, clubbing in NYC. They even made a movie out of it, the critically-savaged A Night at the Roxbury. The musical backdrop to the sketch was Haddaway’s 1993 hit “What is Love.” The repetitive character of that song was a feature not a bug; when you’re dancing, it’s – so I am reliably informed – not about the words. It’s about the beat.
I am reminded of that song as I spin “Anywhere,” the opening cut on Pol Sembrano’s new EP of the same name. Icy synthesizer sequences, programmed drum beats, robotic handclaps… they’re all here in great quantity and prominence. But “Anywhere” has something going for it: the melody is strong, and Sembrano’s vocals are largely free from the over-processing so endemic to much in the dancepop world. His melodic sense is strong, and there’s a fun and inviting character to the song that sets it apart from standard-issue vapid and zipless dancefloor ravers.
“Open Mind” is even better, with its moody feel. Combining shades of Depeche Mode, The Cure and Until December, the tune makes use of electronic instrumentation, yet it gives the sense that the artist delivering it has actual blood flowing through his veins. And “Number” takes a delightful left run, crafting a slinky pop melody that uses the same tools to create a very different ambiance. Sembrano’s rich and approachable vocals make it plain that there’s much more to this Filipino-American artist than kinetic dance tunes.
“Nothing to Say’ finds Sembrano back on the dancefloor, but his skill with a melody means that the tunes are well differentiated from one another, BPMs be damned. Word on the street is that the Anywhere EP is a preview of what’s to come on a planned full-length. Fans of intelligent dancepop (not an oxymoron; really!) are advised to stay tuned.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.