Side projects that sound overly similar to the artists' main band are always a letdown. Why not take some chances, do something crazy, or head off in a totally unexpected direction? Rostam Batmaglij of Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot have taken this to heart on their collaboration, Discovery. There is absolutely no trace of the precise, orchestrated, indie popcraft of Ra Ra Riot or the jittery, Afro-pop of Vampire Weekend to be found on the duo's debut record LP. Instead they go for a crazily warped version of modern R&B jams filtered through '80s dance music, '00s hip-hop, and Jamaican dancehall that is both hilarious and wonderful. Hilarious because the synth tones are so fat, the beats so clichd, the EFX so corny that you can't help but laugh; wonderful because the duo know exactly how to put all the elements together to make a thrillingly silly and fun album.
Professional Reviews
Spin (p.88) - "[T]he multitempo electro-pop jam 'So Insane' is oddly affecting, as is the spare, reggae-tinged 'Slang Tang.'"
Q (Magazine) (p.104) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "LP reveals nuggets of pop gold. 'Orange Shirt' evokes the Prozac-pop of Phoenix..."
Pitchfork (Website) - "The first half is weirdly awesome in places, confounding in that exciting way where someone comes along and ruptures expectations, creating something both straightforward and pleasing that's also head-scratching.'
