Chromeo get Business Casual on Their New Album

Written by  Published in Album Reviews Friday, 17 September 2010 12:00
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businesscasual

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That saying basically has an unlimited amount of possible applications, which is why I love it. I’m guessing Chromeo love it too, as the duo has returned from the studio with Business Casual, an album that continues down their previous path of celebrating the good times with some more dance worthy electrofunk circa 1980. As time rolls on, there are a few things that we can always count on: the sun will rise, the birds will sing, and Chromeo will make music for the dance floor. They will always have that blend of old and new, the style of the 80s with some modern flair. Their latest album would feel right at home as the soundtrack to a Saturday Night Fever remake for the 2010s, and that’s why we love them.

The album starts off in high gear and the swagger-meter registering off the charts on “Hot Mess.” The deep synths drive the song, also with some retro nuggets from their beat machine to give the track that suave feeling that Chromeo is known for. My favorite part of this track is the addition of the sensual voice acting by what must be an English girl, getting sassy with lines like “I don’t know what you want from me, I mean, I’m not a bloody social worker.” Obviously Dave 1 and P-Thugg are still experiencing some problems with their lady friends, based on the lyrical content of Business Casual. They have swapped “needy girls” for “hot messes,” but I’m not complaining. They are sticking to their same sound, but they are masters of it, which is important because if they aren’t going to take risks and move in new directions, then they have to make sure that what the do make sounds extra-glossy. It also helps that Chromeo never take themselves too seriously. Songs like “I’m Not Contagious,” are proof of that. “The Right Type,” is another example of songwriting that might be perceived as silly and childish, but it’s all in good fun. I guess “campy,” is the first word that comes to mind when I think about songs like “When the Night Falls” and “You Make it Rough,” but Chromeo has that convincing tone to their music that keeps it interesting and keeps their sound from just becoming a novelty. The song “J'ai Claqué La Porte,” is actually one track off the new album that sounds completely unique. Here the duo trades deep synths for an acoustic guitar, and English for French (they are from Montreal, after all). Its an interestingly melancholy track that avoids the party anthem feel of many of the other tracks, it’s just unfortunate that my curiosity is more or less crippled by the fact that I don’t know any French (but google translator tells me that “J'ai Claqué La Porte” means “I slammed the door”).

Like I said before, its more of the same with Business Casual, but more than anything that means that here is another album that you can press play on when there is a party at your house, and let the good times roll. If you are a fan of Chromeo, then this record is another great addition to their catalogue of electrofunk albums. Dave 1 and P-Thugg are beating that dead horse without signs of tiring, but we’ll let them keep doing it, as long as they promise to keep it fun. To listen to their new album streaming in its entirety, click here.

Last modified on Sunday, 24 April 2011 12:24
Todd Prodanovich

Todd Prodanovich is a human being and composed of roughly 60% water at any given time. Approximately 6 liters of blood flow through various veins and arteries until reaching his brain. When melodic sounds that eminate from an external source are processed by his brain, a chemical and metaphysical reaction takes place. This reaction is not fully understood by science.

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