Fascinated (Ivy song)

"Fascinated" is a song by American band Ivy. It was released as the second single from their sixth studio album, All Hours (2011), and made available for digital download on July 26, 2011 by Nettwerk in the United States. The song was written and produced by both Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase. An electronica song, "Fascinated" uses keyboards and a repetitive, simple chorus throughout its duration; Ivy's take on the production was called "European" by one critic.

"Fascinated"
Single by Ivy
from the album All Hours
ReleasedJuly 26, 2011
Recorded2011
GenreElectronica
Length4:21
LabelNettwerk
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Adam Schlesinger
  • Andy Chase
Ivy singles chronology
"Distant Lights"
(2011)		 "Fascinated"
(2011)		 "Lost in the Sun"
(2012)

"Fascinated" received mixed to positive responses from music critics. While being appreciated for its "catchiness", a reviewer was critical for the song containing a "boring" composition. An accompanying music video for the track was released on October 25, 2011, featuring various scenes of the band performing the track in a "colorful" world with robotic dancers playing several instruments.

Background and composition

"Fascinated" was first announced on June 7, 2011, along with news concerning a song titled "Distant Lights".[1] It was released on July 26, 2011, nearly one month after the former track had become available for digital consumption.[2] While recording of the track was done exclusively by the members of Ivy in their respective homes,[3] "Fascinated" was written and produced by Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase. The two also handled engineering of the song, with additional assistance being credited to Ruddy Cullers. Atsuo Matsumoto and Bruce Driscoll performed mixing and programming for the composition, respectively.[4] Described as a flashback to "'80s synth pop" music,[5] the track has been classified in the electronica genre, in contrast to the more "melodic guitar pop" vibe that was featured on their previous studio album, In the Clear (2005).[6] Agreeing with the consensus, Nettwerk claimed that the single "sounds like a lost 80's synth-pop hit remixed for today".[7] The recording incorporates keyboards in its instrumentation, while lead singer Dominique Durand repeats its title throughout the chorus. PopMatters's John Bergstrom described Ivy's approach on the track as "cold, European attitude".[8]

Critical reception

The release of "Fascinated" was met with mixed to positive responses from contemporary music critics. AllMusic's Matt Collar was appreciative of the single, which he described as a "catchy pop moment".[6] A critic from BlackBook agreed, stating that "songs like 'Fascinated' [...] sparkle with a catchy confidence".[2] A staff member from Filter Magazine claimed that "surely your 80's obsessed best friend will love it".[9] Bergstrom from PopMatters criticized "Fascinated", which he called an "undistinguished, flat-out boring song". He continued by questioning the refrain's simpleness and the production, which he found "annoying".[8]

Music video

An accompanying music video for "Fascinated" was released on October 25, 2011 via Nettwerk's official YouTube channel.[10] The visual was directed by Schlesinger's close friend Adam Neustadter, who helped in creating a "colorful" and "vaguely disorienting clip" for the band.[11] The video begins with Durand peering below a camera as flashing stills of a faceless man playing the keyboards appear. Three dancers, including a mime, a woman with sunglasses, and a ballerina, perform various choreography as the visual gradually zooms in and out of focus, achieving a 3D effect. As the first verse continues, Chase and Schlesinger are shown playing their respective instruments behind Durand, who sings the song's lyrics into a microphone. A similar process is carried out for the rest of the clip, and concludes by displaying the faceless individual using the keyboard. Commenting on the project's final result, Schlesinger insisted that it successfully matches the song's "synth-pop vibe" through the use of "robot dancing, some vintage synths, and a guy with no face".[11]

Track listing
Digital download[12]
No.TitleLength
1."Fascinated"4:21

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of All Hours and Ivy's discography on AllMusic.[4][13]

Personnel

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States July 26, 2011 Digital download Nettwerk [12]

References
  1. "Ivy to Release New Album, "All Hours" Sept. 20; First Single, "Distant Lights" Out Now". Fenway Recordings. June 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  2. Romeo, Danielle (July 26, 2011). "Ivy Releases New Single "Fascinated" And Announces NYC Show Date". Nettwerk. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  3. Romeo, Danielle (October 25, 2011). "Ivy Premieres Brand New Video For "Fascinated" From 'All Hours'". Nettwerk. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  4. All Hours (Liner notes). Ivy (band). New York City, New York: Nettwerk. 2011.CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. Mojica, Frank (September 16, 2011). "Ivy All Hours". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  6. Collar, Matt. "Ivy – All Hours". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  7. "9/20 – Ivy – 'All Hours'". Nettwerk. June 8, 2011. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  8. Bergstrom, John (September 28, 2011). "Ivy – All Hours". PopMatters. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  9. Filter Magazine staff (July 25, 2011). "MP3: Ivy Frees the "Fascinated" (Filter Premiere)". Filter Magazine. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  10. "Ivy - Fascinated [Official Music Video]". Nettwerk. October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  11. "Ivy 'Fascinated'". Rolling Stone. October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  12. "Fascinated – Ivy". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  13. "Ivy – All Hours: Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
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