Play It Like That

Play It Like That
Studio album by Bardot
Released	12 November 2001
Recorded	2001
Genre	Pop, R&B, dance
Length	45:24
Label	Warner Music
Producer	Michael Szumowski, Michael D'Arcy, Phil Burton, Ray Hedges, Murlyn Music, Ollie J
Bardot chronology
Bardot (2000) Play It Like That (2001)
Singles from Play It Like That
"ASAP" Released: 16 July 2001 "I Need Somebody" Released: 22 October 2001 "Love Will Find a Way" Released: 18 February 2002

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
The Advertiser
Herald Sun

Play It Like That is the second and final album by Australian female pop group Bardot, released in November 2001 (see 2001 in music).

The album debuted at number 16 in Australia and spawned the singles "ASAP", "I Need Somebody" and "Love Will Find a Way".

History

Background

Bardot's second studio album, and their first without Katie Underwood, marked a more mature and sophisticated development in the band's sound, shedding the bubblegum pop image of their debut. While it remains very much a collection of dance-pop songs, the production is more modern and lyrically, the album is a lot more grown up than its predecessor. The album incorporates several genres – disco ("I Need Somebody"), UK garage ("Play It Like That"), R&B ("You Got Me Feeling") and funk ("It's Alright").

The album was recorded in early and mid-2001 in England and Australia with international producers such as Swedish team Murlyn Music (Britney Spears, Dannii Minogue), Ray "Madman" Hedges (Cher, Boyzone, Bryan Adams) and Ollie J (of UK electro group, Arkarna). Bardot also worked with Human Nature singer-producer Phil Burton, while the Dowlut brothers and Michael Szumowski returned. For the first time, each member contributed to the songwriting process. Belinda Chapple penned "Don't Call Me, I'll Call You" with Australian producer Michael D'Arcy, and the pair joined Tiffani Wood to write "Girls of the Night". Sally Polihronas co-wrote "You Got Me Feeling" and with Sophie Monk, the pair wrote "Feel Right".

Critical reception

The album was praised by most critics, many of whom did not expect Bardot to last past their first album. Herald Sun music editor Cameron Adams gave the album 3 stars, stating, "Bardot, more comfortable now being pop artists than just Popstars, get a big red elephant stamp for improvement with their second album." Ninemsn wrote, "they have served their apprenticeship, and deserve the success that they have worked hard for. Play It Like That will certainly launch them into the international circuit and turn heads." Adelaide's The Advertiser gave the album 3 and a half stars, believing "having a greater musical input has paid dividends. The album has a fresher, more inspired sound" while Australian music site Undercover hailed the album as "a mighty creative leap [...] You are forgiven for placing nil expectation of a new Bardot album, but coming from that perspective Play It Like That is a real treat."

Track listing

1. "Play It Like That" (Ollie J/M. Morgan/P. Jacobs)
2. "I Need Somebody" (R. Hedges/N. Butler/J. Pickering)
3. "Feel Right" (S. Polihronas/S. Monk/M. Szumowski)
4. "ASAP" (F. Odesjo/H. Jonback/J. McLaughlin)
5. "Don't Call Me, I'll Call You" (B. Chapple/M. D'arcy)
6. "Love Will Find a Way" (Ollie J./M. Moore/P. Jacobs/P. McMahon)
7. "Dirty Water" (P. Isben/M. Steer/S. Dyer/K. Bryant/M. Melhus/M. Pop)
8. "You Got Me Feeling" (S. Polihronas/P-M Anquetil/CJ Lee-Joe)
9. "It's Alright" (L. Stewart/T. Hale/Tab/C. Stewart)
10. "Before I Let You Go" (D. Dowlut/D. Dowlut/R. Goncalves)
11. "Girls of the Night" (B. Chapple/T. Wood/M. D'arcy)
12. "When the Cat's Away" (F. Odesjo/H. Jonback/J. McLaughlin)

Charts

Chart	Peak position	Certification	Sales
Australian Albums Chart	16	Gold	35,000+

Sources

• Play It Like That press release