Ashok Plans CD

UK reissue of this album featuring the vocals of Florence, now the front-woman for Florence And the Machine. Ashok originally released their debut album, Plans, in 2007. Their sound fed on diversity, bristling with Jazz, soul and rollicking' country influences. And they produced a quite brilliant and varied album. Plans opens with 'New Year's Anxiety,' fueled by frantic strings, Flo's thumping vocals playing out across Leo's resonant lyrics. 'Lean from the Middle' is hooked around elegant, jazzy arrangements with sliding bass and Flo's velvet-coated vocals. 'Under the Thumb', with a staccato rap, trumpet hoots and bongo licks all dusted with a soaring vocal. The album closes with 'Happy Slap,' which takes their sound and twists it into a punchy, Country number to rival Dolly Parton. The subject matter? "It's about beating up your boyfriend," says Flo, a touch nonchalantly and is featured on her album as 'Kiss with a Fist.'

1. A New Year's Anxiety 2. Lean from the Middle 3. Sunday 4. Radix 5. Franky Boy 6. A.A.B 7. Under the Thumb 8. Decadence 9. Geri Gigolo 10. Slow Tune 11. Happy Slap