Polyvinyl artist Starfucker (or STRFKR for presumably promotional purposes) are releasing their second full length in March. Compared to their ambitious, self-titled debut, ‘Reptilians’ is a more relaxed and less spontaneous album. It’s the kind of album that I want to sit and listen to all the way through. It’s never overwhelming or challenging, and I mean that in a good way.
There are obvious standout tracks like “Death as a Fetish,” a beautiful pop song with more than just a great title. I doubt you’ll be hearing any songs from this album in a Target Pharmacy commercial, though. Those who are familiar with the band’s debut will recognize some of the samples that serve as transitions between songs. It’s a cool gimmick that I’m sure will be easily recreated in a live setting, which is where this band really shines anyway.
Tracks like “Bury Us Alive” and “The White of Noon” juxtapose lead singer Joshua Hodges’ subdued vocals with exploding synth lines and intense drum beats. Songs of this nature are plentiful in the album and make it a very worthy sophomore effort from a band that’s proven their ability to create innovative electronic pop music in a landscape that’s becoming littered with over-experimentation and copycat artists.
Listen to / download two tracks from the album below:
