Posts tagged music review

Topp stemning pa lokal bar
Polyvinyl

After performing for countless indie and techno-heads in small England clubs, hopping through the European festival circuit, and a string of performances at this year’s SXSW, Norwegian pop troupe Casiokids are attempting to win over America. With their new album, which loosely translates to “Great Vibe At Local Bar,” they are quite successful in their attempt. 

Their first single, “Fot I Hose,” lacks vocals, but has the fun, plucky guitars and humming synth syncopation to set the stage for music that can seemingly make you sweat out happiness while dancing along. But when there is singing, lyrics are sung in the band’s native tongue of Norwegian. This choice isn’t distracting, nor annoying. The vocals merely become an additional instrument, blending into each track. “Finn Bikkjen!” showcases the quivering falsetto that channels the Bee Gees and ABBA, and the Afrobeat influence the band takes such pride in crediting.

“Verdens Største Land” is the top track of the album because it manages to mesh all of Casiokids’ influences into an almost-seven-minute homage. The Afrobeat inspiration is clear with its contagious jungle beat and pulsating, funky bass work, channeling a hearty mix of the Commodores and African Manu Dibango’s “Soul Makossa.” Throw in the poppy, fun piano melodies of “Grønt Lys I Alle Ledd” and the pure, percussion-thumping swagger of “Min Siste Dag,” and you have the bands’ fearless approach to creating music.

Between their classic pop arrangements, their tributes to disco greats and overall positive vibes, Casiokids create legitimately fun dance music, rather than tracks that are desperate to pack in as many musical references and production enhancements as possible. They manage to create an effortless assortment of songs that flow perfectly into each other, and aren’t threateningly loud or chaotic. Casiokids are here for the good times and I think it’s safe to say Americans will welcome the fun-loving gang from Norway with open arms.

In A Word: Contagious
Grade: A-
— by Alicia Fiorletta

The Philadelphia-based group will release their new album Blue Sky Noise April 20. Until then, to appease their fans and ever-praisers, their new track “Get Out” not only gives a glimpse of CS’s advancements as a group, but a nice revisit to the sound loyal listeners love.

Lead singer Anthony Green’s vocals are stronger than ever—hefty and passionate. The pounding drums compliment the swooping guitars as Green croons “Lock myself up in a room/without a window/ just to see if it was any easier to breath/I was wrong.” The lyrics are torturous and self-loathing in a seemingly mocking way. It’s not worth it to try, although this motif has a tinge of frustrated hope. There has to be more, right? That’s what Green seems to be searching and asking for.

A flowing guitar solo follows a scream, heavy syncopation follows a warble, and thus ends the roller coaster ride that is just the beginning for CS and fans, come the release of Blue Sky Noise.