Home Synth Home
With so many American laptop pop groups flooding the airwaves, some acts get flung so far off the radar that it’s impossible to see past your Passion Pits, Hot Chips or Discoveries. Brookyn duo Project Jenny, Project Jan’s Home Sweet Home is a testament to quirky yet refreshing MIDI creations.
Opening with “Tonight,” the duo’s New Order-esque synths and timbre don’t necessarily harken back to an 1986 that never existed, but rather the type of John Cusack-vehicle you wish you and your friends played slacker sidekicks in.
“Nadine” is A Flock of Seagulls if they eased up on the reverb and overall creepiness that type of new wave sometimes leaks into a 4-minute pop track. And what a pop track this is. The vocals soar well above the garbled/distorted wave synth. The light percussion and twinkly bells smooth over the track like a Phil Spector production waiting for a string section.
The somewhat silly “Jenny” is a subtle attempt at nerdcore mixed with The Street-esque storytelling. Paired with “Girls in Car’s,” the duo’s tongue-in-cheek attempts should stay off the next release if they want to garner any sincere interest.
Songs like “Pretend” are a quick redeemer for the off-putting humor. This is where Home Sweet Home’s production seems its best with thick basslines, wet snares and everything you love about getting down digitally.
Overall, the direction this duo is heading can only be up. Eighty-sixing the “silly” tracks, and well…you’ve got something special.
Leave a Comment