Moloko were an English-Irish electronic music duo formed in Sheffield, England, in 1994 by vocalist Róisín Murphy and producer Mark Brydon. Blending trip-hop, house, dance-pop, funk, and experimental electronic music, they became one of the most distinctive acts of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their biggest hits included "Sing It Back", "The Time Is Now", and "Familiar Feeling."
The duo's origin story is famous: Murphy reportedly introduced herself to Brydon at a party with the line, "Do you like my tight sweater? See how it fits my body?"—a phrase that later became the title of their debut album.
The band's name comes from the milk-based drug drink "Moloko Plus" in Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange.
Initially a cult favorite within the trip-hop and electronic underground, Moloko achieved international success when German DJ Boris Dlugosch remixed their song "Sing It Back" in 1999, turning it into a global club anthem. Their follow-up hit "The Time Is Now" became their highest-charting UK single, reaching No. 2 in 2000.
Although Murphy and Brydon ended their romantic relationship during the early 2000s, they completed one final studio album before disbanding in 2004. Murphy subsequently launched a successful solo career.
Moloko's catalog traces an unusual evolution: from quirky trip-hop and downtempo experimentation to sophisticated dance-pop and house music. Their work helped bridge the gap between underground electronic music and mainstream pop, while Murphy's charismatic vocals and fashion-forward persona foreshadowed her acclaimed solo career.
Music
1995: Do You Like My Tight Sweater?
1998I: Am Not a Doctor
2000: Things to Make and Do
2001: All Back to the Mine – curated remix collection
2003: Statues
2004: 11,000 Clicks – live concert recording
2006: Catalogue – greatest hits collection