I’m going to say right off the bat, I really love electronic music. I also can really despise it a great deal of the time. With that now in the air, it’s safe to let you know that I was interested in trying out Javelin’s “No Más”. After a few good listens, I realized that I found an album that was extremely enjoyable and I will definitely listen to it again and again.
Javelin has a unique style, mixing 70s funk beats with specified electronic elements. It mixes up tracks with the occasional go at vocals and produces innovative sounds that were pretty much made to rap over, but still stand by themselves as great songs. The first song “Vibrationz” is a chilled out track when one could find peace while listening to it in a convertible by the beach. However, that’s only how to get the maximum effect out of the song and it’s extremely easy to see its catchiness and overall fun attitude without any of that.
A ton of this album sounds like it came straight out of a mid-to-late 80s video game, making great tunes, and sampling great shit. The tune that powers “Oh! Centra” is reminiscent of a well-written classic video game theme, also probably the easiest area of that song to listen to. The rest of the song is powered by Katamari Damacy / Animal Crossing raps from a squeaky voice. This is a toss-up enjoyment for most people; the voice could come off as annoying, cute, funny, or stupid. I find it that it’s a mix of all of that.
“On It On It” is perhaps the best jam on here. The keyboard sounds that occur throughout the song sound so damn cool, it’s totally hard to dislike it. Then it revs up into full funk status and ends with some interestingly composed vocals. I can’t help but want to dance every time I hear it.
The album progresses from being funk based, to not, and going back again, having nice time coming up with enough variety so it keeps you interested until it ends. It also decides to through some out of place but welcomed acoustics amongst the dancy beats, which I can appreciate if it’s done right.
I really don’t know what else to say. “No Más” is just straight-up fun. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys music. A broad stroke, but a very pretty looking one.
WINNER: “No Más” by Javelin
WHY: It’s one of the funnest albums I’ve heard all year. Perfect for summer, fits your lifestyle.
Fermata over Whole Rest 