Galantis - The Aviary

Galantis
The Aviary
2017
Spotify

"Runaway (U and I)" from 2014 was the thing that really broke Galantis wide open. It came at peak EDM at was fully entrenched in the sound. Their debut record Pharmacy made a couple waves  but did not garner them the pop success like their contemporaries The Chainsmokers. Both DJ duos work with similar sounds, usually have a female singer and are far more poppy than any House Music head would be happy with. Hell, they even have a song with Rozes who was the feature on the breakout Chainsmokers song "Roses" so how can we not compare the two? However, it never feels like Galantis sold out instead this is just the music they like and the music they like creating. Their shows are always a party with stunning visuals and a constant House throughline. Tropical House takes center stage on The Aviary, dated but a pretty decent sound. You can always count on Galantis to deliver what they promised, even if what they promised isn't on the vanguard of what's happening right now. This record feels like a beginning to mid-summer jam, so being released at the end is a bit of misstep. For the all good vibes the generate with this light sound there is also a whole lot of the feeling like you have heard all of this before. The truth is, you kind of have. There are very few new ideas, big swings or even attempts at pushing the envelope a bit. Galantis are perfectly comfortable keeping their sound about 18 months old, just off the pace of the rest of the world.

One of the best examples of what I am talking about is the song "Salvage" featuring Poo Bear. Earlier this year Skrillex put out a song with Poo Bear called "Would You Ever" which sounds so similar to this Galantis song, but better. It uses interesting sounds, its glitchy and slick while "Salvage" is as basic as Tropical House can get. That's difference between being able to rock a party and really creating something interesting. Both starting positions are equally valid, though not artistically equivalent, and when you listen to The Aviary it's honest and fun so why the fuck not. It just doesn;t have that surprise factor that would make you keep coming back. One of the brightest and most fun tracks is "Tell Me You Love Me" which is not shocking since it is a collaboration with Aussie DJ and dirty disco phenom Throttle. This album would be great at a party, just don't expect people to be pulling their phones out in a frenzy to open Shazam. IF Galantis are going to keep on growing they are going to need to change their sound, or evolve in some way because this sound has long passed them by and it's high time they catch up.

4.9 out of 10