Olivia Merilahti and Dan Levy like to make weird choices and combinations. The collaboration between the Finnish singer and the French multi-instrumentalist is a separate combination in itself, and that is reflected in their music. The Dø was the first English-speaking French act to reach the top of the French album chart with their debut A Mouthful (2008). Their latest CD has everything to achieve
… the same. Merilahti sounds like a fragile angel on the daring opening track Dust It Off. The line used is not released on the other twelve songs. Based on acoustic instruments and programmed effects, Both Ways Open Jams sounds both fresh and tinkered. Some songs invite you to take a nap, while others call for a dance. Levy mainly acts as a resourceful producer and provides the eclectic background. The listening songs are sometimes supplanted by Levy's interesting discoveries, such as the use of string quartets or rousing beats. This is the ideal pop music for people who like to be difficult. The weird choices and combinations of this duo rarely turn out badly. (JE)more
