Aly & AJ 'A Touch Of The Beat Gets You Up On Your Feet Gets You Out And Then Into The Sun' (Album Review)
OSCAR RENDON | ST. LOUIS, MO | June 17th, 2021
ABOUT| It’s been 14 years since Aly & AJ have come out with a full LP and the last time they were promoting new music was for their last EP ‘Sanctuary’ in 2019. This time around they have taken all of their life experience & growth in between that time to deliver ‘A Touch Of The Beat Gets You Up On Your Feet Gets You Out And Then Into The Sun’ (a bit wordy.. watch out The 1975!). Produced by Yves Rothman and recorded with live instrumentation at the legendary Sunset Sound, the new album finds its title taken from a lyric on the record that captures the essence of the 12-track collection -- it’s a blend of an unbreakable bond between two sisters, their west coast energy, and their innate sensibility to tell a timeless story. It finds two singer/songwriters balancing effortless melodies, lush instrumentation and heartachingly relatable lyrics. And somehow they still hold onto the charismatic charms that made them stand out as pop powerhouses in the mid-00s. Below is our full review.
ALBUM REVIEW
Right off the bat the you’re hit with the silky harmonies from the sister duo in “Pretty Places” with a mellow vibe you can see yourself listening to as the sun sets. It’s a fun way to get back in the groove with the new indie synth-pop sounds the sisters have masterfully crafted. The groove continues with “Lost Cause” and it has some of the most profound lyrics. The writing is something that I notice more and more as the album continues. “Slow Dancing” is one of those songs that makes you appreciate the soft tenderness of the duo’s voices and how angelic the harmonies sound when hit in the right moment. “Paradise” hits a little different as it transports me to a neon soaked club and I can see myself dancing to, the best word to describe this album is CINEMATIC. I can see or better yet hear these songs being played in TV shows or movies. Overall I think the album as a whole is a cohesive work of art by the Michalka Sisters, blending the synth pop sound and indie pop lyric writing I have missed thats more personal and playful. It’s interesting to hear how much Aly & AJ have changed as artists and how incredible they sound all these years later.
The Grade
A-
Catch Aly & AJ on tour starting next SPRING 2022
