Both producer David Douglas and singer Blaudzun of the Netherlands are critically acclaimed in their own right, but their partnership on the debut album High As The Sun combines their strengths and passions into an electronic/indie pop fusion that walks a fine line between dance music's dark and light side. It's a almost a shame that, despite reportedly wanting to work on together for quite a while, HATY HATY didn't get moving until just over a year ago.
Douglas and Blaudzun's musical chemistry dominates this largely and wonderfully creepy-sounding LP. "Parakeet" is the most indie pop-leaning of the album, setting a precedent for the duo's ample use of fun bass lines, while title track "High As The Sun" proves instantly catchy from the first synthetic horn notes, suggesting that the pair consider no sound to be off-limits. "Run-Stop-Non-Stop-Belly-Flop" uses '80s synth tones that absolutely drive the track into full-on dance mode, making it the most fun and subsequently most unique song on the LP; it's also notable for its unfamiliar use of lyrics and electronic sounds in the sea of recent '80s copycats, a standalone creation that alludes to the artists' talents while drawing from nostalgia.
Dark undertones mark each song but come to full fruition on "Tell Me Something," a horror-esque track permeated by eerie synths and voiceovers. While aesthetically, this song stands apart from the rest of High As The Sun, its well produced electronic edge shouldn't go unappreciated. HATY HATY return to the '80s vibe they focused on at the beginning of the LP with "Uptown Angel," but the dark beats of the previous song can be found between verses, making the creepy mid-album interlude a smart choice.
(V2 BeNeLux/Automnation)Douglas and Blaudzun's musical chemistry dominates this largely and wonderfully creepy-sounding LP. "Parakeet" is the most indie pop-leaning of the album, setting a precedent for the duo's ample use of fun bass lines, while title track "High As The Sun" proves instantly catchy from the first synthetic horn notes, suggesting that the pair consider no sound to be off-limits. "Run-Stop-Non-Stop-Belly-Flop" uses '80s synth tones that absolutely drive the track into full-on dance mode, making it the most fun and subsequently most unique song on the LP; it's also notable for its unfamiliar use of lyrics and electronic sounds in the sea of recent '80s copycats, a standalone creation that alludes to the artists' talents while drawing from nostalgia.
Dark undertones mark each song but come to full fruition on "Tell Me Something," a horror-esque track permeated by eerie synths and voiceovers. While aesthetically, this song stands apart from the rest of High As The Sun, its well produced electronic edge shouldn't go unappreciated. HATY HATY return to the '80s vibe they focused on at the beginning of the LP with "Uptown Angel," but the dark beats of the previous song can be found between verses, making the creepy mid-album interlude a smart choice.
