Worm Without A Hook
Junior Boys are no newcomers to the music scene. Big Black Coat is the Canadian duo’s fifth album in the last decade or so that they’ve been putting out records, a time in which they’ve managed to elude mainstream attention despite being generally well-received by critics with each release. Their latest LP is a sleek, sophisticated, and mature collection of songs that is simultaneously a solid effort and a clear-as-a-bell explanation for their continued relative obscurity.
Musical stylings on this album range from chill-wave, to R&B, to electro-pop, to a heavy dose of early Detroit techno music. A fairly wide range of influences come together to create a variety of tones, from the somber drag of “C’Mon on Baby” to the funky, Prince-tinged bounce of “Baby Give Up On It.” This sonic variety doesn’t become muddled or unfocused, as it might at the hands of less experienced musicians. Rather, the whole of Big Black Coat feels very cohesive — the artists are comfortable exploring multiple sounds without losing their own style. Still, it seems like something is missing.
It wouldn’t be right to call this album boring, because there are several genuinely fun and interesting songs on it. The acid beat and smooth vocals of “M&P” form the basis for a refreshingly cool song. The extensively colorful and complex layers of sound in the album’s title track finale make for a genuinely impressive work and enjoyable listening experience. There are a handful of songs that are catchy and dance-friendly enough to be solid additions to any DJ set. However, there isn’t anything terribly inspiring or memorable in any of these 11 tracks. It feels like a whole hour of in-between songs, none of them with any great amount of gravity or impact.
There’s no real point of argument as far as the quality of music or potency of style on Big Black Coat — it’s just lacking that certain something that would make it truly stand out. Credit is certainly due to the artists for a solid record, but it seems likely they will fly under the radar again and it’s easy to see why. It’s good, but it just isn’t very exciting.
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