Sally Shapiro

Remix Romance Vol 2 (Paper Bag Records)

By Caroline Kinneberg
Published: May 12th, 2008 | 12:55pm

The latest release from "Swedish disco princess" (as her official website proudly pegs her) Sally Shapiro, Remix Romance Vol. 2 opens in French and swings promptly into English. Her international sound actually traces to Italo-disco, a later, synth-filled, Italian version of what we're more familiar with (think Donna Summer's beat-driven "I Feel Love" versus her boing-y "Love to Love You Baby"). If her Facebook page is any indicator, with comments from Australia, Canada, and Chile, Shapiro has quite the global following.

The flaxen, round-faced singer first dropped a full-length — the well-received Disco Romance, on U.S. shores in October 2007. But Remix Romance Vol. 1 wasn't born until label Paper Bag Records called for DJs to remix the debut album's tracks; submissions that just missed the cut compose her latest offering, miraculously drawing three albums out of one.

Although Vol. 1 one features DJs more recognizable Stateside—indie-electro duo Junior Boys got their hands on "Jackie Junior" and New York-based Juan McLean reworked "I Know You're My
Love" — Vol. 2 merits a listen if you have yet to discover Norway's version of Kylie Minogue, or if you just want to compare the two discs side-by-side.

Unfortunately, the second CD doesn't come with one of Shapiro's kitschy, flashback album covers, as it's being digitally released on June 17. It's all a bit indecisive, since some songs work better on
Vol. 2 (a slowed-down "Find My Ghost," for instance) while others are better on Vol. 1 (such as a pulsating "Hold Me So Tight").

But there are songs that make the second CD worthwhile: "I'll Be By Your Side" sounds like something Shapiro's '80s-influenced compatriots The Mary Onettes would record; "Anorak Christmas," for its cutesy, girls-just-want-to-have-fun feel; and "Time to Let Go (Spitzer Remix)," which is interspersed with sexy, cinematic, spoken-word clips.

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