After a short stint as a solo artist, Rilo Kiley vocalist Jenny Lewis has reunited with her old bandmates for a fourth album release – a clever decision, as Under The Blacklight might just be the pop album of 2007.
The four-piece has throughout their musical career shown an impressive knack for writing killer tunes – the heart-wrenching Does He Love You? from 2004’s More Adventurous being just one of many. Blacklight, however, is the L.A. party’s first major-label debut, and possibly their bravest record to date. They have moved away from their indie hive, and chosen to give listeners a master class in embarrassingly charming melodies, killer hooks, power refrains and arrangements so loving you want to hug your foes.
So what’s the key behind Rilo Kiley’s sovereign recipe of perfected pop? Shameless theft, it seems. The band has borrowed the best pop-elements from every decade, and each of the album’s 11 tracks is brimming with references. Smoke Detector reeks of 60s rock’n roll with its simple guitar riffs, walking bass and handclaps, Breaking Up is an upbeat disco tune, while De Jalo’s latino rhythms and steel drums makes one think of Gloria Estefan in her perm days. Tied together with Rilo Kiley’s signature college-rock-sound and mixed with gospel backing vocals, horns and drum machines, Blacklight is nothing short of a knockout!
