ALBUM REVIEW: Blue Hawaii – Open Reduction Internal Fixation

Arbutus Recordings

Released: 11.10.19

The genesis of Blue Hawaii’s fourth album, Open Reduction Internal Fixation, is one characterised by misfortune for the duo. On the one hand, ‘Agor’ Kerby needed to undergo foot surgery (for which the record is named), while ‘Ra’ Standell-Preston navigated a messy breakup.

The aftermath of these events peppers the album, which takes in the spectrum of electronic music from UK garage (All The Things) to house (All That Blue). ORIF is best when it wears its heart on its sleeve – such as on the soaring yet melancholic Still I Miss U – but stumbles when it aims for nostalgia and instead feels dated. Despite a couple of sparkling moments, ORIF’s encompassing of numerous sub-genres unfortunately lacks cohesion.