Tuxedo II is the conspicuous continuation of 2015's Tuxedo, the lauded then-side project of Mayer Hawthorne and producer Jake One that found both shot from their usual comfort zones and sticking an unbelievable aesthetic landing. Two years and a world tour later, the bow-tied duo are back with another batch for the frills and sequins crowd.
The vibe comes rushing back at the album's onset, with the anthemic "Fux with the Tux." That's a good thing: Presumably, you're here because you're already a fan of the sound Tuxedo have offered in the past, and Tuxedo don't disappoint on II, hardly deviating at all from form. This is the same well-executed funk celebration you're familiar with, one that, the duo hope, might even be better the "2nd Time Around."
The production seems a little denser this time, like on "Livin' 4 your Lovin,'" where piano stabs and horn sections join the usual synth and retro drum machine combo. "Shine," a midtempo duet between Hawthorne and new school disco queen/touring companion Gavin Turek, is a standout, as is the lyric-less jam "Scooter's Groove."
Inevitably, a sequel will be compared to its predecessor, and while the Tuxedo team have done well to build upon a groove they dug years ago, there's not a ton new to discover here. That being said, if you fux'd with Tux on their first record, you'll find plenty to like here.
(Stones Throw)The vibe comes rushing back at the album's onset, with the anthemic "Fux with the Tux." That's a good thing: Presumably, you're here because you're already a fan of the sound Tuxedo have offered in the past, and Tuxedo don't disappoint on II, hardly deviating at all from form. This is the same well-executed funk celebration you're familiar with, one that, the duo hope, might even be better the "2nd Time Around."
The production seems a little denser this time, like on "Livin' 4 your Lovin,'" where piano stabs and horn sections join the usual synth and retro drum machine combo. "Shine," a midtempo duet between Hawthorne and new school disco queen/touring companion Gavin Turek, is a standout, as is the lyric-less jam "Scooter's Groove."
Inevitably, a sequel will be compared to its predecessor, and while the Tuxedo team have done well to build upon a groove they dug years ago, there's not a ton new to discover here. That being said, if you fux'd with Tux on their first record, you'll find plenty to like here.