Electric Guest are one of those extended overnight successes. The pair of Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton squirreled away for five years on their sound before seemingly appearing out of nowhere with the funk-lite curves of “This Head I Hold” earlier this year. A delicious radio hit at a time when people were craving more from the sound that the likes of Janelle Monae and Aloe Blacc had tempted them with.

Buzz from international press certainly helped them, but not as much as getting Danger Mouse to produce their debut. Lending his not inconsiderable talents, in both his keen ear and gallery of vintage instruments, Danger Mouse’s touch weighs heavy on the album.

In fact, it may be the production, and not necessarily the songwriting of Electric Guest that lifts Mondo up to its polished standard. Despite this, it’s impressively ambitious for a first effort.  The starting point appears to be a blend of classic pop with seventies soul and funk, but happily brushing shoulders with modern techniques.

“Awake” has a chorus that sounds like it escaped from the musical, Hair; while “Waves” consciously channels the giddy energy and soul-pop sound of “Walkin’ On Sunshine” (Katrina and the… geddit?).  Meanwhile “Under The Gun” is a verse-by-verse narrative that arranges a “Billie Jean” drumbeat against bright syncopated piano and folk-chiming guitars;p then there’s the psychedelic trip of “Troubleman” which takes the same song and splays it across two trippy arrangements that stretch to nearly nine minutes.

The latter is a good microcosm for the record’s problems, many of Mondo’s moments pass by without leaving a lasting impression. The duo may yet find their strength beyond a few key turns but sonically, it’s beautifully constructed.

– Al Newstead

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