Soundtrack of Nostalgia

If you’re feeling nostalgic for the kind of synth-pop you’d hear on The Breakfast Club soundtrack but still want to maintain a punk rock edge, look no further than Best Behavior – the sophomore album from Brooklyn based Dinowalrus.

As a whole, Best Behavior packs a synth punch as it meanders between straight ’80s pop and more modern electro beats. Blaring guitar riffs further give it a rock edge. Influences of electro pop outfits such as Battles, MGMT and Passion Pit can be heard on stand out tracks “Rico” and “Radical Man.”

Songs like “The Gift Shop,” a playful jab at street artist Banksy, “Beth Steel,” and “Phone Home from the Edge” literally sound like companion pieces to Simple Minds’ 1985 hit “Don’t You Forget About Me.” This works for Dinowalrus – it gives the album a certain ethereal quality that reminds you of summer friends and parties long passed.

Best Behavior really does sound like a soundtrack – it has a range of singles going from slow to up tempo that work for certain moods but aren’t necessarily cohesive as an album. For a sophomore album, Dinowalrus delivers a strong showing and definitely has no-where to go but up.