Following their first LP, It’s a Corporate World in 2011, and recent EP Patterns, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. is back with their new album The Speed of Things. This Detroit-based duo is Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott, who with their quirky hair, correlating outfits, and love of synth, have brought indie pop back into the spotlight. Building off the 2013 releases of groups such as Ra Ra Riot, Body Language, and Magic Man, the genre of electronic indie pop has hit a high this fall, and The Speed of Things tops it off perfectly.
Not only is this album one to dance to – you may have caught “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dance Floor)” released on the EP a few months ago – but one of introspection and emotional depth. The definition of pop music, while dominated by Top 40 these days, does not have to exclude well composed and melodic tunes of thoughtful nature. This is evident right from the start with “Beautiful Dream,” which may very well be the best overall track on the record besides “War Zone.” This song exemplifies the essence of the entire album: whereas some albums are clearly break up records, The Speed of Things captures that moment in time when things are just beginning and all possibilities seem promising. And in this lighthearted tune, even “I’d die with you honey,” is sung wistfully, touching on the ironic romance of death – all with synthy pop beats.
“I can’t help it, there’s nothing I can do now,” continues to emphasize this falling in love concept as the album continues in “I Can’t Help It,” and in “Hiding” with, “If I can’t have you, what am I gonna do?” and then “I ain’t hiding no more.” A reprise of “Beautiful Dream” in the middle of the album proves the worth that these guys put on the musicality of their release, as this is not an album to pick and choose from, but rather a straight-through listen.
The second half of the album dives into a focus on lyrics, getting wordy and clever in “Mesopotamia” and “Dark Water.” But don’t mistake this for a shift away from composition – every song on this album could be a single, except perhaps “Don’t Tell Me,”. The most personal songs on the album fall to the end, with lyrics of “I was a fool to be afraid of love,” in “Gloria” and the brilliant “A Haunting,” which hopes “I don’t want it to end badly, I don’t want it to be like all the ones before,” and proclaims “I just want my body to be overcome for once.” Although The Speed of Things tells a story in forward motion, this last tune worries about previous regret and hopes that this time (this time) things work out in a good way. “War Zone” ends with an all clear, the battle having moved on. This optimistic and catchy final song will get stuck in your head all week, but you won’t be upset about it.
There is honestly no other music out there this year quite like The Speed of Things. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. has mastered electronic indie pop by incorporating orchestral and video game-like sound elements, focusing on lyrical quality, and producing not a series of songs, but a high quality album. Buy this and put it on repeat for weeks, as it’s almost impossible to get tired of. The speed that good things are going for them now is lightning fast. You can catch them with Atlas Genius and Family of the Year on tour this fall.
Rating: 5/5