Classixx Are Still on Their Way

The L.A. DJ duo Classixx are ready to debut their first studio album, Hanging Gardens. Formerly known as Young Americans, the pair originally met in middle school and have been friends and partners in music-making crime ever since. Together they have released several remixes (of Holy Ghost!, The Ting Tings, and even Phoenix’s Lisztomania) and singles starting in 2009, but Hanging Gardens is the foot in the door they’ve been needing to really start establishing themselves as classics in the scene. But does the album, being released on Innovative Leisure Records, stand up to the standards set by the band’s name?

The short answer: kind of.

Hanging Gardens is a solid dance record and really just a solid record in general. There’s nothing too crazy or innovative, but you can’t call it boring either. Every track has pretty much the same personality, but luckily it’s the fun, classy-drunk kind. As you listen to the beats, it feels as if suddenly a fine mixed drink will be in your hand and you’ll be dancing with the closest person in a club. Even if you’re in your living room this will happen—it’s a strange and wonderful kind of magic the album has. One highlight found on the record is “Stanger Love.” This track has all the glam and gluttonous fun of the ’80s without the big hair (unless you’re into that). It’s here that the album really opens up and shows the treats that are to come from this band.

Perhaps it’s completely in their favor that Classixx didn’t release their genius masterpiece the first time around. They have a whole jungle gym to climb—bands that get it in one go spend the rest of their careers trying to recreate the brilliance of that first album, and where’s the fun in that? Go out and buy this record, and be sure to look out for more Classixx to come.