The Junior Boys have all grown up now, and they're releasing a spectacular album too...The strong backbeat of the first song takes me back to the days of Depeche Mode & Blondie where music was experimental and new, synths were revolutionary and The Cure became gods that influenced all, including these pair from Canada, The Junior Boys.
Since the start of the new millenium people have been trying to find that new sound, Crystal Castles & The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are but to name a few. However these guys have got it down to a tee.
The first song was something I heard online as an exclusive and I fell in love straight away, having heard 2006's So This Is Goodbye I hoped that they would come up with the goods in ultimate ambience...and they did. When I listen to the album I'm reminded of a reinvented 80's, where now we have 'bit drums' and vocoders, all were completely unavailable in the 80's. It makes me think of the old games, the raves, TOTP and you forget all of the bad parts.
I do have a gripe however. It is still 80's style, it will be called old and people will say it reminds them of Blondie but I like it. I wanted it to sound like Blondie, I wanted it to sound like the 80's because I want that experience. They do a good job too of making it listenable, it's not even cheesy, you don't have to try, you can just lose yourself in the strong bit beats and whispered lyrics.
For a while the songs sound quite sad in some ways and keep you relaxed, until the track Bits & Pieces which really gets you up and is so very well mixed. It's creating a lit up city that I'm beating Dr. Robotnik in, with Sonic The Hedgehog, it's just magical. The next track Dull To Pause starts with a sort of Venice feel mixed with steel drums and the world of fantasia, with a strong beat reminded me of a bustling magical town square, then the lyrics come in and I can see it now, this is an amazing dream.
Hazel comes straight in with a very pop like song and it's so well composed, it's just nice to know that the bit beats really do make a difference in these typical love tracks. The song then drifts into a floating bliss of ambience and drops you into a smooth backbeat with synths and then sweetly moves into the next track with such a calm and cool feel, I swear it just made the sun come out of clouds!
Now the albums drawing to a close I can already begin to say these guys have hit the spot for me today, I'm almost a new man, the next 2 tracks finish the album the way it started, with impressive beats that still relax you with proper organs and synths, this feel good album is the antidote to all of lifes problems for as long as you listen to it.
Due out in the US on April 7th and in the UK March 24th, I recommend you get this album and don't just shelve it, put it on every sunday, religiously and chill out while eating your dinner, thinking about how much better your life is now this album is in your very impressive collection.
