Los Angeles duo Classixx initially gained attention in 2009 when they released the single "I'll get you" which featured vocals from Jeppe of Junior Senior. On their debut album, Hanging Gardens, the band has refined their Nu Disco sound and brought together tracks recorded over the last four years into one cohesive vision that thrives on infectious hooks and a bright pop sensibility.
The title track includes a sample of Fleetwood Mac's "Seven Wonders" and starts the record off with a melodic synth line that evolves over five minutes and serves as a mission statement of the duo's polished pop sound. Other instrumental tracks like "Rhythm Santa Clara" and "Dominoes" show off the production skills of the pair, incorporating funky bass lines and vocal samples to create uplifting tracks that center around simple pieces of musical euphoria.
Classixx are at their best on Hanging Gardens when collaborating with vocalists and are able to bring an element of storytelling and depth to their tracks that makes for fully realized pop songs. "A Stranger Love" features stunning vocals from Sarah Chernoff that feel like a perfect match for track's disco vibes, yet avoids coming off as cheesy and overly earnest which can be hard to avoid when the aiming point is catchy, sun soaked dance music. The band pulls this off most effectively on "All Your Waiting For" with vocals from Nancy Whang, making for one of the most memorable collaborations from the former LCD Soundsystem keyboardist. With bright synth stabs and grooving funk bass along with Whang's ability to lay down nonchalant yet undeniably catchy vocals, the track serves as the best example of the kind of pop bliss that the duo is capable of.
The record's closer, "Borderline," is a step toward a more reflective sound that retains turns the band's energy inward to create a nocturnal feel with smooth vocals from Jesse Kivel that serve as a reminder of the dynamic range that dance music is capable of covering all while remaining true to it's soulful roots.
Hanging Gardens is solid debut from a group that has proved capable of incorporating obvious influences of decades past to create a balanced, straightforward brand of electronic pop. With Nu Disco poised to serve as a reactionary genre to much of the overindulgence and tastelessness of modern electronic music, we can be thankful that band's like Classixx are bringing us back to the basics of unapologetic, fun dance music.
Grade: B
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