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The latest mixtape from Rochester indie pop band Joywave re-imagines their debut EP, Koda Vista, using their early recordings as the basis for their ambitious expansion of their excellent sound. 88888 is all over the place in terms of influences. "Facility" brings together experimental pop production with hip hop, featuring a verse from Atlanta rapper STS that serves as another example of the versatility that both artists possess as the lines between genres continue to be blurred.
The bright synth jam "All I Want" brings to mind 80's pop as well as more contemporary electronic artists like M83 and Hot Chip. Frontman Daniel Armbruster's charismatic vocals are on full display on the dark, sample-warping "London." The atmospheric track is a clear standout on the mixtape and shows off the band's ability to create memorable hooks out of some seriously progressive sounding samples.
"Waterbed" is an ethereal pop gem and one of the smoothest tracks the band has put out to date. The blissful soundscape serves as a nearly 5 minute period of sonic reflection among this busy collection of pop highlights.
Released as a single earlier this month, "Tongues" features fellow Rochester act KOPPS and is a jittery, uptempo jam featuring the band's signature vocal warping to create one of the more memorable hooks of the mixtape. On "Ray Lewis (Slappers Only)" rapper STS delivers another verse set to a hazy track with crass, hard hitting drums and features a sample of one the former Ravens linebacker's infamous passionate rants.
No matter how hard it may seem to be classify at times, Joywave are undoubtedly onto something in their experimentation that brings together instant gratification of pop music with the sonically adventurous aspect of electronic music. Blending elements of hip hop and dance music with strong songwriting allows for the most affecting aspects of each style to feed off of each other. 88888 unveils new ways in which the disparate influences come together with each listen giving us a glimpse into a world of forward thinking pop music where the unlikeliest of sounds coexist under one vision.
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