You by Alien House

"Something Alien in nature is something not native to its surroundings, naturally existing in a state of flux and fluidity; ever-changing, ever-evolving. Alien House, the cosmically aligned duo of Justin Myers and Anthony Tarallo, have channeled this state for over a decade with their signature sound and approach to music.

With each release seen as a stepping stone on their ever-changing path, Alien House has once again shifted their techniques, honing in on something altogether original and inspiring. With its 12 genre-spanning tracks, ‘You’ invites the listener into a colorful world of sound structures that challenge and satisfy equally with each listen.

Starting with the flickering percussion of the title track “You”, we are pulled in with soft, pillowy synths and a sultry vocal chop. The rhythm stays glued together with ping-pong blips and bubblegum drum loops bouncing in and out of focus. An opener that truly sets the tone of the album and the energy of the tracks to come.

“Haircut”, the first single released from ‘You’, is a standout track that juxtaposes the singer musing about giving themself a haircut against a breaky, electro beat and slinky bassline. More atmospheric pads and found-sound samples fill the midsection, luring the listener into a liminal space, before the track comes all the way back around into the song’s lone - if not infectious - vocal refrain.

Track three “Fond of Them”, features rapped verses from obscure lyricist reily ilo (who the band also cites as a close friend and collaborator). Perhaps the first truly hip-hop track for the group, the beat, and overall production gives the essence of seasoned professionals. The skittering boom bap brings you into familiar territory while the rhyme scheme rides over top with an assured, laid-back swagger. Throw in a beautifully nuanced piano section in the latter half and this one is easily another fan favorite.

Through the middle tracks of the album, the duo impresses with many back-to-back stylings that truly showcase their prowess as producers and sound designers. It’s as if tracks 4-7 send you off on a compelling, sidewinding side-quest, before the soft synth-wobbles of “Echo Reset” fade out, bringing us back around to the second half of the album.

“Move Your”, the third and final single from ‘You’, is perhaps the most ambitious Alien House effort to date. The track unfolds in a three-part odyssey that changes directions like refracted light. Like many AH tracks, the song is anchored by their knack for syncopated beats and airy, sky-high melodies.

To round out the album, we finish with another suite of four deeply hypnotic tracks that are highlighted with the album closer, “Green Onions”. A track that is brilliantly charged with emotion, yet strikingly soothing, it’s a perfect sendoff and goodbye wave that brings us back to the start. A window that looks through to where this project has been, and beyond to what possibly lies ahead.

Alien House has been known to describe this album as a mixtape. A mishmash of ideas and influences that span everything from early 2000s skate vids and MTV to outmoded gaming consoles and '90s radio scanning. The beauty of ‘You’ is that every last one of these inspirations shines and flourishes while still making something inspiring and completely its own." - Hunter P. Thompson

Producers Justin Myers and Anthony Tarallo are the Tampa-based duo Alien House.

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