Made In Heights - Without My Enemy What Would I Do

Made In Heights
Without My Enemy What Would I Do
2015
Made In Heights - Without My Enemy What Would I Do

Few groups embody the term "future pop" better than Made In Heights. They expertly bridge the gap between straight up pop music and hip hop by creating an aesthetic that never falls to deep into one or the other. There also is no strict adherence to some kind of formula. One track "Ghosts" features scratching as well as an 80s love song style synth. The Music is free to go just about anywhere the group sees fit. Kelsey Bulkin's voice is also syrupy sweet getting into ever inch of space both when it is left alone and aided by some kind of effect. The production on this album is absolutely meticulous. Each note is placed with such care and forethought even though songs like "Lunette" flow along completely organically. This is the type of music that we should be hearing everyday on the radio, but we never will. The sound is also totally engaging, from start to finish you are immersed in a sound that fills the room completely but not with noise or energy but more with a sneaking sliding quality that is infectious.

There are times however where the record stalls. The 13 tracks offer little change in pace and can take a turn for the boring after awhile. The album is begging for some kind of crescendo but that just never comes. "Cry" featuring odd animal sounds also begins so strangely that the quite beautiful song that follows is hard to get into. The water drop tone is nice throughout, but the pig noise is off putting. The most satisfying song on the record is "Slow Burn", it has all the elements that are the best about the album but also features a bit more energy. The rest of the record just keeps up much of the same smooth sound that is pervasive throughout. "Pop Itin 2" lightens things up and even features the dup laughing in the studio. While listening however you begin to judge the album against itself which is a bit of a mistake; everything here is so much better than anything else you are hearing out there that you become spoiled with it's goodness. Don't miss out on this record because who knows when another like it is on the horizon.

7.9 out of 10