Chairlift, the minds behind their own unique indie pop-electronica fusion, debut their junior LP, Moth, this week on Columbia Records. The electronic music scene's emergence into the mainstream is highlighted here especially. The Brooklyn, NY-based duo headlined by Caroline Polachek (songwriter, vocals, synths, production) and Patrick Wimberly (guitars, drums, bass, keyboards) assert their wide range of electronic prominence in this LP. Historically, Chairlift has been deep rooted in the indie-electronic scene with their roots in Boulder, CO. The original guitarist and backing vocalist for the duo, Aaron Pfenning, left to pursue solo projects before Chairlift's second studio album would see light. The shift from Pfenning to Wimberly as half of the team carries most apparently in this record. There is quite a lessened focus on indie-pop and much greater appeal to the ever-evolving electronic-disco subgenre. This can clearly be heard in the guitar rhythms and snazzy brass inclusion. There are several highlights on this record that should not go without mentioning.
Three months ahead of the album's release, Chairlift released their first preview track, Ch-Ching, with a music video accompanying it. Channeling the likes of M.I.A. from Matangi in both choreography and costume, Polachek taints the idea of what M.I.A. had perfected. Complete with an utterly annoying, repeated phrase, Ch-Ching haunts me as a subpar effort on the record. The lyrics are empty and the choreography is corny. Fast-forward two months and Chairlift debuts their second preview track, Romeo. Sonically and visually more capturing, Polachek does well to establish what the sentiment of Moth would finalize on. The synths and drums are driving and compliment Polachek's vocal melodies very well. Though the music video suffers from some artistic and cinematic shortfalls in merely advertising a retro-Japanese aesthetic (visually just a more heavily produced version of Deerhoof's We Do Parties), Chairlift comes to stride with tracks and styles like this on Moth.
Though the whole album does not present itself positively and consistently, Chairlift creates very memorable tracks when they are at their finest. The brass and synth production here are worth the study and notes. Polachek's vocals reach new heights and are extremely impressive. The one aspect that will be most truly missed is the indie feel Chairlift used to hold. Just check the evolution lyrically and sonically from Does You Inspire You to Moth with tracks like Bruises to something like Ottawa to Osaka. The band has asserted their new sounds and it will satisfy. I'm sure some of these tracks will make their way to many a party playlist and driving jam.
6.5 / 10.0
Songs of Note: Polymorphing, Romeo, Ottawa to Osaka, Moth to the Flame
