Sequins 1

The opening track uses overdriven guitar parts and layers of overdubbed vocals.[2] Its lyrics caution a woman who has become out of control and its title was chosen to contrast feelings of passion and melancholy.[3] "Off on It", a more experimental song with an unsteady rhythm,[4] precedes Night of the Dancing Flame", which combines synthesizers with 1920s jazz.[5] It is written in waltz time[3] and was compared to Stevie Wonder's work during his peak.[6] The extended play closes with "Through Time", which opens with noises such as rustling and coughing,[5] and then proceeds into a ballad that was compared to those by Carole King.[7]

The cover of Sequins 1 was painted by Simon Henwood. Murphy met Henwood in a pub, and Henwood, who was known for his simplified paintings of teenagers, thought that she would be a good subject for a painting.[6][8] Henwood came to Murphy's house the next week and, while they were looking through her wardrobe, decided to have her dressed in sequins.[6] Murphy positioned her body in abstract shapes for Henwood to paint.[8] She developed a character, which Henwood described as a "disco electro pop diva with a 1940s look".[9] His canvases were displayed at The Hospital in Victoria, London,[10] and Murphy purchased them "for [her] kids so they can see what [she] once looked like."[8]

All tracks written and composed by Róisín Murphy and Matthew Herbert.

1. "Ruby Blue" – 2:48
2. "Off on It" – 5:22
3. "Night of the Dancing Flame" – 3:26
4. "Through Time" – 5:58

The following people contributed to Sequins 1:[11]

• Róisín Murphy – vocals, production
• Matthew Herbert – guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, production
• Dave O'Higgins – saxophone
• Trevor Mires – trombone
• Pete Wraight – trumpet
• Max De Wardener – bass
• Phil Parnell – keyboards
• Geoff Smith – percussion
• Simon Henwood – art direction
• Steffan Macmillan – design

• Official website