We the Monster - We the Monster

We the Monster 

We the Monster 
self-released; 2015

3.7 out of 5

By J Simpson
​

On their self-titled debut EP We The Monsters, Orange County CA's We The Monsters deliver a hazy, gauzy, cloudy slice of disco-inflected dream pop that'll have you dancing in the stratosphere.

At the turn of the century, The Strokes captured the public's imagination with a fantasy life of a chic, cosmopolitan New York existence as audiences lived vicariously through Julian Casablanca's rock n’ roll high fashion lifestyle. Their sound was stark and stripped down as a Pierre Cardin photo shoot, suggesting late night speed benders, racing around cities in taxicabs and stacked heels. It was an attractive illusion, helping to kick start the fashionable hipster movement, but it was also highly unrealistic. Barely anyone has a famous modeling agent for a father.

Instead, We The Monster delivers the idea of fashion and excitement, like a fairytale castle floating on a cloud. Guitars, vocals and keys are wrapped in puffs of reverb, making the whole thing float on a hoverbed of air. Funky bass and disco drums keep things from getting too airy and faraway, thrusting a taproot into the top soil, bringing some much needed sweat and grit.

With Lady Gaga currently blowing up the charts with her cover of Chic's "I Want Your Love" for fashion designer Tom Ford, and LA avant-beat smith Dam Funk legitimizing artful plastic soul and funk, We The Monsters stands to be very well-received indeed.

The EP opens with a dance worthy number "Style" that sounds as if Cut Copy and The Strokes had a baby. Throw in a dash of Franz Ferdinand and you should have an idea of what "Her Heels" sounds like. Five tracks, without a misstep. From the stuttering art-disco "Style" to "Her Heels" to heartfelt piano ballad "Sober Again" featuring some very lovely female vocals that I'd like to hear more of next time, We The Monsters have what it takes to make you sweat, make you think and make you dream

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