Junior High

On paper, Junior High sound like they're about three years too late to the party — an '80s-obsessed electro-pop duo equally influenced by Chromeo, Cameo, M.I.A. and Mya. But somehow, Junior High salvage their debut from sounding dated, recycled and tired. The ten-track self-titled LP from the San Diego, CA duo packs enough Broca-breaking samples, anti-pulses and rhythmic anomalies to keep the listener blissfully captivated. Leadoff track "D.O.P.E.," a number that could have easily been tossed aside as a pitch (fork) perfect disco replica, instead features crowd-cheering effects, wavering tempos and a wonderfully unexpected trapdoor closeout. Junior High keeps their electro weird with the training-video-soundtrack-on-LSD feel of "Shufflin' the Cards" and the rubbery, three-minute outro of "My Number One." Although Junior High is stacked with ideas and left turns, much of the album is, at its heart, a thinly produced, thinly veiled pop clone from a young, impressionable band. If Junior High sound this resourceful with someone else's template, imagine what they'll do when they grow comfortable in their skin.