Goldroom - West of the West

Goldroom
West of the West
2016
Spotify

A lot of folks in the indie dance and indie world are saying "about damn time" to themselves today as Goldroom finally release their debut LP West of the West. Over time Goldroom have developed a reputation as the indie dance hub for California, blending elements from many different electronic genres but imbibing them with a very distinct California sound. It is laid back, never overly aggressive and knows that this is the kind of music that you come to, it does not bash you over the head. "Silhouette" opens the precedings and sets a high energy tone that the rest of the record either matches or surpasses. There certainly is a formula to Goldroom's music: catchy electronic sound, infectious short hook and a build/drop to rival some of the EDM out there. There is also a heavy disco presence on the album that makes it way into tracks like "Underwater". Yacht Rock is a term that gets thrown around out there for those smooth sounds of the 70s but Goldroom seem to inhabit that spirit as well. If you can't imagine drinking some cocktails on a sailboat with a few bodacious babes while jamming out to these tunes I think you are missing the point of life. That vibe continues throughout the whole album and is a modern yacht rock take that anyone can get in to.

Haters will say the music is formulaic but it is a formula that Goldroom has created all for themselves. You do not really hear music like this anywhere else, it either is to analogue and indie to be dance music, or to aggressive to chill out to. Goldroom make their place in that space and hold on to it tight. The vocals on the album shifting between male and female track to track are always so crystal clear that you can almost feel the sun shining off the sea as they sing. Perhaps someone who doesn't understand what California represents culturally might not get this music, but the way it soars you cannot help but feel that ocean breeze on your face. However for some the light touch of West of the West might be a bit off putting because it assumes from the jump that this is music you like and goes from there. There is no introduction from Goldroom on this debut, He assumes you know who He is and rocks you from that point. This record really captures an emotion and a place nearly perfectly and is one that you will find yourself going back to over and over again. Don't hit the beach without it.

8.0 out of 10