The Naked and Famous - Simple Forms

The Naked and Famous
Simple Forms
2016
Spotify

We haven't heard from The Naked and Famous for awhile since the release of 2013's Rolling Waves. However California synthpop outfit are back with this new record Simple Forms. The single "Higher" sets the tone reminding you of their big bold version of electropop. It is just as infectious, just as huge, but there is another aspect to this record that is new and quite interesting. There is an emotional heart in these songs that The Naked and Famous have yet to tap in to in their career. However on Simple Forms the band deals with heavy issues allowing loss and pain to seep into their songs. There is less celebration and more pining here, but that only makes the drops and explosions of sound all the more cathartic. At times however this can take a turn for the cheesey like on "My Energy". The song just seems to contrived to make people feel something instead of allowing them to come to it. It is in your face with emotion that should give you chills, but it ends up being a bit pedestrian and flat. The one thing that is inescapable however is Alisa Xayalith's fantastic voice. It has so much force behind it and so much power that she overtakes everything in her path in the best way possible.

The album takes another turn when you learn that it was recorded while Alisa Xayalith and the bands other founding member Thom Powers were breaking up after eight years. It adds a whole new dimension to the album and a song like "Last Forever" takes on an entirely new meaning. The album becomes about picking up the pieces and trying to go back to real life when all you want to do is breakdown. "Losing Our Control" sums this up almost perfectly, even though at times it is a little sappy for it's own good. "Backslide" follows suit with an incredibly over emotional track that almost reaches cringe status as two people seem to be literally saying "hope you find love" as sarcastically as possible. The Naked and Famous are best when they are unapologetically big and straight up pop. The new element of emotion being brought in is great in places and weaker in others. Simple Forms shows a ton of growth and a band who really struggled to keep it together to arrive here. I'm glad they did, and you will be too.

7.9 out of 10