Discovery’s LP came at just the right time. Because we needed something to play driving to the beach and riding the train home. AND it might have the single best opening of any album this year. Seriously, it’s that good. Starting off with the wandering electro-pop single “Orange Shirt,” and following it with the tremendously exceptional “Osaka Loop Line,” the duo (Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot’s Wes Miles) makes a strong statement on their debut album.
The tracks are spotted with references to Japan, leading one to only guess they spent some time in the country (??). The music is pure synth, often pitting jarring rough sounds against beautiful wandering melodies and heavy pulsing beats. The album peaks early, with “Osaka Loop Line,” the standout single, and comes in waves of genius and “meh” for the remaining 8 tracks.
What’s most evident about the album though is that it’s a project by a couple of musicians clearly just having fun. The fun and interesting “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” (with the Dirty Projectors’ Angel Deradoorian) is a nice touch as is the Jackson 5 cover “I Want You Back.” Both Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend have a reputation of being light and easy to enjoy, so it only makes sense that the collaboration of two members would echo the tone.
But what’s very different about Discovery is the experimental synth that might make it hard to take in by listeners more used to the more pop sounds of the respective parent groups. It’s a sound that is definitely fresh and worth getting into (see: “So Insane”), but key tracks aside, it can be a little difficult on first listen. LP is an incredible start to a duo we only learned about earlier this year. A tour might be tricky with both Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend busy, but I can’t wait to hear more.
Discovery – “Orange Shirt” [MP3]
Discovery – “Osaka Loop Line” [MP3]
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