Neo-psychedelia has been making waves in the indie music scene for the past couple years, with bands like Tame Impala bringing back that classic Beatles sound as well as Animal Collective incorporating psychedelic elements into experimental electronic/rock music. Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) chose to go the second route and incorporated these psychedelic influences into their own unique, lo-fi and funky sound. “Multi-Love” is the band’s third album, following two years after their last album “II.” Taking influence from disco-era bands such as the Bee Gees and Chic, “Multi-Love” successfully creates a dance-inducing throwback album that’ll have even the shyest of listeners vibing out in public.
This album is meticulously layered and produced. Every song deserves another listen in order to pull back all of its layers and find the little nuances that make up each song. The opening and title track of the album is a perfect example of this. “Multi-Love” opens with a catchy piano riff underneath that familiar high pitched voice that characterizes UMO. Further into the song, synths and strings intertwine so well that it’s hard to tell one from the other. Other songs that really shine in the production department are “Like Acid Rain” and “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone.” Both of these songs contain disco vibes with a tinge of an Ariel Pink lo-fi influence that allows them to stand out and hold up the album as a ‘70s-inspired dance party. These Bee Gees-influenced tracks create a fusion of that classic funky sound and modern psychedelic rock that would even stand up against some of Daft Punk’s dance hits of the past years.
It’s not all fun and games on this album, though. In the album’s second half, things slow down into an ‘80s chill-out session that ends up putting the listener to sleep. “The World is Grounded” takes place as the sixth track with a smooth and steady bassline that’s reminiscent of a slowed down version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” That’s where the problem lies with this album. It tries so hard to be unique by combining elements of past hits that it seems to almost come off as a less memorable version of them.
Right after this track is “Stage or Screen” and “Necessary Evil.” The two songs are forgettable and seem like tracks that were added to the album as an afterthought. Though the quality of the production is there, the songs are boring and provide a stark contrast to the first half of the album that had the listener moving and dancing. The vocals are also lazy and sloppy to the point that they seem like B-side tracks and make you wonder how they made it onto the final album.
“Multi-love” is trying to take you on a tour through the ‘70s funk era in the first half with everyone grabbing their afro wigs and flared jeans and rushing onto the dance floor, while the second half aims to create that ‘80s slow dance, Michael Jackson vibe that’ll have you waving your lighter in the air and eventually falling asleep. Though there is a major dichotomy in the first and second half of this album, Unknown Metal Orchestra have successfully created an album that will have everyone wondering why disco ever died and clamoring to have it brought back.
Rating: 3.5 stars
