Chloe Qisha's Fantasize mixtape is a finely tuned pop machine

The Malaysian-British artist approaches pop with an almost surgical precision, ensuring each hook and every vocal flourish is calibrated down to the last detail. And, for the most part on Fantasize, her mixtape debut, the results are hard to find fault with. Qisha has never hidden her admiration for Swedish pop icons ABBA and their influence is salient right from the get-go. Fantasize's lead track "YDH" – young, dumb, and horny – pulls some of its cues from the flawless "Mamma Mia", with rhythmic percussion that reminds of ticking clocks. Instead of agonising over romantic troubles in true 1970s fashion, though, “YDH” establishes the mixtape’s consistent exploration of sex and sexuality, smouldering with Qisha’s husky tone as she croons unabashedly raunchy lyrics. Less successful is “Question of the Day”, essentially a modern take on ABBA’s 1979 hit “Voulez-Vous”. Both songs centre on sexual overtures set to a disco-infused backdrop, but the subdued production in “Question” comes off a bit more lethargic than sensual. The result is serviceable, if indistinguishable from a mid-tier Dua Lipa cut. Third track “Baby Girl”, however, quickly makes it clear that Fantasize won’t stick to j...