Horny Zone’s The Spotlight was one among my favourite albums of 2022… in any style. And, the group is aware of precisely what they’re doing with its follow-up — aptly titled “Chapter II.” They’ve revisited most of the profitable sounds from final 12 months to nice success. After only one hear, I’ve already bought a number of standouts.
This method informs Purple Rain, which performs as a sonic sequel to final 12 months’s glorious Endlessly Gold. It even shares the identical songwriters! The fellows comb the 80’s for an additional synth-pop exercise. Endlessly Gold‘s crown is protected for now, however I’m delighted to listen to Horny Zone proceed to lean into their strengths.
From the music’s opening synthwave riff, you already know you’re in for a superb time. This manufacturing is supported by robust melodies that trip the beat with a snug ease. This continues into the refrain — an earworm if I’ve ever heard one! There’s no means this hook gained’t be lodged in your mind for days to return. It’s insanely catchy however not overly gimmicky. If I’ve one small grievance, it’s the music’s heavy-handed use of vocal results. There are moments the place the vocoder works nicely, however a lot of the vocal association feels weirdly compressed. Horny Zone have such distinctive tones, and I hate to listen to them smothered by overly aggressive filters. I’m positive I’ll get used to this in time, however these decisions constrain the monitor and forfeit among the energetic punch that made Endlessly Gold such a triumph.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 9 |
Grade: A-
