Real Life Color’s first track, Swell Song, begins with some crackling static and a keyboard drone, builds gently, eschews vocals, seasons itself with some xylophone hits, then deftly segues into next cut “Monster”, which rides its synth-pop backbone until it almost surreptitiously becomes big, beautiful, and anthemic. It’s a subtly glorious start for a largely unknown outfit, and as the brilliant “Monster” bounces along, a listener can take note of this minor blastoff and appreciate the fact that they are in good hands.
Magic Man is a Boston-based duo that’s just created some of the most infectious electronic pop on the market (the market being largely unimportant to the band, as they’ve decided to offer their album as a free download). Count Dan Deacon as a fan; the boys opened for him at Boston University in April. Real Life Color, their first release, was recorded by college sophomores Sam Lee and Alex Caplow at several different locations in France, and then edited and pieced together in the US via the Internet (the guys go to different schools). There is a certain French vibe to the album, in its playful, colorful delivery and its fun yet contemplative bounce, but Magic Man have created something that, for the most part, defies geographical pinpointing. This is a very accessible, kaleidoscopic slice of computers- and-keyboards, and a compulsory listen for anyone interested in finding what could be the next great indie pop sensation.
Wondering about Magic Man’s influences and sound-alikes is fun, but reductive. You’ve got the earnest, swimming electronics of the Postal Service, here all fuzzy and lo-fi, and when the vocals get excited, they’re oddly reminiscent of Arcade Fire’s Win Butler, but Magic Man are really just themselves. This is their own blend of electro-pop, heartstrong and lovely and full of passion.
“I’m feeling like a basement lover/Cross-eyed and buried under covers.”
There’s no shortage of highlights here. “Daughter”, another great track, is underlined by a Nintendo synth and a load of dazzling effects, and the joyous singing does it plenty of justice. The chorus defies one not to get moving. “Nest” is the penultimate track, and with its bubbling-up effects and vocals, it reaches a fanfaring peak and then settles into a more reflective second half. Eventually, the song breaks for the tape again, and it’s such a delicious progression here that its repeated use on the album is all but forgiven. And “Monster”, as previously noted, is the best song on the album, with its watery, background repeat of ‘hey-hey’, its dribbling drum machine, and its enthusiastic development.
“Sometimes we all need a taste of the season/Lately, I just want a chance to break even.”
Magic Man have no real ceiling I can place. Real Life Color is not a masterpiece, but it’s an accomplished album that suggests the band’s members have plenty more up their sleeves. At their highest points, these tracks seem destined to untie themselves and float high into the perfect blue sky like a clutch of balloons. They never quite do, but they certainly achieve some altitude.
Download the album for free on Bandcamp. With regards to compensation, the band only asks that you tell others about the music if you enjoy it. Consider my debt paid.
