Famed for their extremely successful electronic reggae-pop singles ‘All That She Wants’ and ‘The Sign’, Swedish group Ace of Base saw momentary success in the early 1990s when their debut soared to clutch international triumph. Sustaining their eminence in the UK until 1999, the band sank from the top 40 thereafter but endured onwards to release two further albums in 2002 and 2010 but were unable to reproduce their 90s position. More than 20 years later from their first conquer, Ace of Base showcase ‘Hidden Gems’, an album assembled from B-sides, rare tracks and previously unreleased material.

Composed of a mixture of electro-pop and electro-reggae-pop, ‘Hidden Gems’ entirely suits the expectations of Ace of Base. Vibrant, jaunty and teeming with sounds of 90s dance-pop, ‘Would You Believe’, the album greeter, instantaneously reminding of the ensemble’s identifiable practices of the later part of decade.

Other tracks which engage in dance-pop also become above all outstanding. ‘Mercy Mercy’, which employs pop to the utmost, places itself as one of the album’s zeniths, jouncing around with synthesiser stabs and choruses corresponding of a Janet Jackson production.

Compositions which match the winning approach of tracks such as ‘All That She Wants’ aren’t forgotten or excluded though. ‘No Good Lover’ and ‘Prime Time’ demonstrate this, rolling onwards with reggae piano chords. 

‘Hidden Gems’ represents some of the lesser celebrated but equivalently as worthy constitutions that Ace of Base has formed over their period as a band. Packed with recognisable elements and considerable features from the era of their escalation, ‘Hidden Gems’ provides an inviting insight into a different perception of Ace of Base.