The McKenzie FIX Album Reveiw

'Pandora's Box' is the debut album by The McKenzie FIX, a project led by Edinburgh singer-songwriter Ewan McKenzie. The autonomous use of keyboards gives it a dreamy 1980’s feel, whilst Its strong melodies see vocals overlap and synth hooks descend around them. However dramatic key changes lead down darker alleys and give the album good light and shade. 

Stand out moments include lead single ‘Alone’; a piano ode to a girl who is "alone in a room full of strangers, by herself in a room full of friends". Its follow-up, the more upbeat ‘The Shining’, has poppy melodies that skip along on a sea of synths. Perhaps the most accessible and enjoyable track is the latest single and album highlight ‘Martin and the Artist’.  

On 'Pandora's Box', McKenzie's lyrics open you up to his own unique world and the quality of the songs is undoubted. For my personal tastes, the consistent use of electronic instruments risks a slight lack of diversity over the full album. Though lovers of this sound will surely lap it up and the big ballads mix up the pace.