Delorean – Apar

deRating: ★★★☆☆

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word ‘Delorean’ is Back to The Future. So my gut feeling, when I learned that there was a band with the same name as the raddest time machine ever, was that this band must encapsulate some sort of nostalgia for the eighties that goes along with that image. Over the years, they have grown closer and closer to this image, creating tunes that’ll make you dance as well as take you back in time a bit.

Apar is no exception to this continuing trend, as it is chalk full of tracks to help you dance your way through life, complete with catchy choruses and hooks. The first real stand out number comes after the first track on “Destitute Time.” From the start you have the feminine vocals wailing in the background, sounding off something special coming in the form of new wave esque guitar hooks that sink their teeth into you from the get-go. You can totally understand how this group opened their own nightclub; this track just begs you to shake it. As far as comparisons go, you get a bit of a Cut Copy vibe in the seemingly flat male vocals that serve to propel the song forward. The guitars cycle onwards, each wave over the chorus becoming that final layer of sound to stabilize the overall mix and make for it to be a great song.

Though there isn’t much variance from the 80’s new wave mixed with some electronic components stylistically, there is a change from male lead vocals to the female lead vocals of Caroline Polachek from Chairlift on “Unhold,” which provides for the most interesting song on the record. Initially it sounds like a track you would hear off a jangly pop record, but then the vocals are drastically modified and auto-tuned for an odd effect. Half of me really likes this track, and is completely on board with the direction this group takes on this number, but the other half of me has its reservations about it. At points the vocals promote the excitement of the hard pounding drum beats, but at other instances I find myself wishing they were a little less auto-tuned and modified.

Overall, Apar is one of those albums that is excellent to put on while you want to have a dance party with your friends or when you want to clean the house. Track after track Delorean will have you moving and grooving to their sounds, and it’s up to you to find your favorite track to jam to.

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