Yip Deceiver - Medallius (2013)

Their daytime gig in the Athens, Georgia indie pop collective Of Montreal gives Davey Pierce and Nicolas Dobbratz plenty of opportunities to glam it up and disco shake, but with this dancefloor-aimed, synth-popping side project, the duo can't stop dancing. On Yip Deceiver's full-length debut, there's a bit of an R&B influence as well, with midtempo cuts like "Lover" coming off as Kavinsky producing Chaka Khan, while Gap Band or Prince sized-lust ("I need a lover, to get me through the haze") fuels the key cut "Get Strict." Still, these amorous fellows are tweeter men at heart, and for an album that gets low on the dancefloor, this one is light on the fat-bottom bass. Get hip to the indie-Timberlake stance of the album and this is a loft party for the Phoenix set with plenty of hooks and fun, slick beats. "World Class Pleasure" is aptly titled with its funky guitars, rock-solid chorus, and electro, tick-tock beat adding up to something special; then there are the congas and the layered vocals of "Double Future," a good-timing highlight that could join LMFAO and Toro y Moi on any given playlist. "Go On" gives up the duo's manifesto with "I don't believe in static, I believe in urgency" before the hard-blowing, '80s sax solo comes on like the Miami Vice music for the Instagram set. The loopy "Theme" and the soft popper "Tops Part II" offer moments more subtle and slow, helping to round out this light, fluffy, and bright effort. Medallius just might be an afternoon party's best friend.

Tracklist:

01. Presets
02. Get Strict
03. Lover
04. World Class Pleasure
05. Go On
06. Color Me In
07. Obnoxia
08. 2nd Son Of A 2nd Son
09. Theme
10. Tops Part II
11. Double Future