Jungle: Happy Man Vinyl 12"

Jungle likens its forthcoming project to "a post-apocalyptic radio station playing break up songs," and here are two tracks that offer us a look into what that might sound like. The UK modern soul collective starts the 12" with "Happy Man," a hazy, synth-driven pop number w/ crisp percussion and falsetto harmonies. On the flip is "House in L.A.," a psyched-out ballad that depicts the clash between the band's "romanticization of The California Dream w/ the reality of living it" (the band finished the album in London).

• music label: XL Recordings 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 06/18