Review Summary: Wax on wax off to a different scheme.
New Young Pony Club (NYPC) is a group of 80s kids all grown up making music that competes with the Blondies, Devos and everything else that was the new wave pop revolution of the time. This is a band that has been on the rise for the last three years and finally with their first full length, Fantastic Playroom, they will get some of that UK spotlight that was waiting for them.
The album starts with
Get Lucky.
gasoline, lemonade in the latest cream
wash on wax off to a different scheme.
laminate your mind as though you need it
psycho killer says it makes your shadow seem grey.
Well hell that didn't make sense at all and those were the first lyrics on the album. That is NYPC for you. One easy way for me to describe this band's personality is happy-go-lucky. I say that because of their bubble gum lyrics and dancey rhythms make me think they live in a polka dot world where they are blind to worldly troubles. Lovely stuff.
You may have heard of the single
Ice Cream last year from their EP or from an Intel Commercial. Well it's back on this album and it is still one of my favorites of theirs. Ice Cream is really one of those songs that you sing along but when you actually think about what you're saying you have to question your sanity. The video for it is also a must to watch. The song itself starts off with just the drum beat and in comes the simple bassline and electro elements. The simplicity of their song structures and individual instruments is what makes them such a dancey sensation.
Their new single
The Bomb makes me think of Devo! so much when it hits 25 seconds. This song single handingly is why I am so excited for this band. The bassline is on a mission and the vocals are consistently clever. This track is the highlight of the album. Compared to Ice Cream this song has more happening for it, with its more up tempo beat. Next time you're at the club (and you got some woman's money shakers in your face) actually listen to the music and you may be able to catch this song playing.
The Get Go has another funky bassline but this time it has a mystifying pulse and echoey lyrics, almost a Joy Division presence. Talking Talking also has that dark funk feeling but this one is more laid back.
Talking Talking is still very much danceable but it is the first subdued track to come so I recommend to just take it for what it is, a chill song.
The album hits its weak point with
Grey and
F.A.N.. Both of these songs have something to offer as does every song on the album but after the first minute of them you will get all you really need out of them and they will become skip tracks. This is also coming towards the end of their album of 10 tracks. For a 10 track album a little more variety would be appreciated.
NYPC isn't a band that has a bucket full of musicianship but they are a band with a truck load of creativity (just like most new wave bands). The singer, Thaita Bulmer, isn't anything better than the average voice. What keeps her out of the dog pit is her delivery and it is what will have you singing with and loving her for it. Her personality comes through on the vocals and picks the album up a notch.
New Young Pony Club has a sound that for today's standards is extremely unique. They may be seen as an edgy band and if you don't see that then this album wont do anything for you. The album has a strong beginning with two singles, but looses some of that touch towards the end leaving the listener a little disappointed. For a young band this album is good enough to keep eyes appealed for their next release.
