Broken Bells, the delightfully juxtaposed duo of producer Danger Mouse and The Shins' James Mercer, are set to release their sophomore album, After the Disco on February 4. The duo released the LP's first single “Holding on for Life” back in November to a collective dull roar of Bee Gees comparisons. Yesterday, they dropped the title track, which is sure to get another heaping dose of similar responses, because hey, it's the internet (and, despite the passive bickering, it's also kind of justified).
[jump]Not that “After the Disco” is as overtly Gibb-y as “Holding on for Life,” but all the hallmarks of 1970’s disco are lined up in full-force in this bouncy, spaced-out cut that feels like the illegitimate lovechild of an alternate-universe Studio 54 and the last Shins album. So, pretty okay overall. If these first two tracks indicate anything, it’s that Mercer and Mouse are going full leisure-suited Travolta on this next one, which could be all-too-jump-the-shark-y in this post-“Get Lucky” era, or oddly enjoyable filtered through the duo’s uniquely palatable lens. Given their solid batting average thus far, I’m putting my faith in the latter.
Listen to the single below and check back in a few weeks for a full review of After the Disco...