CSS
(Sub Pop)
It's funny how things tend to live up to their names. For CSS, the translation of their moniker ("Cansei de Ser Sexy" is Portuguese for "Tired of Being Sexy") is the mood Donkey feeds off for its first half, eschewing the cheeky, pink martini disco pop of breakthrough hit "Music Is My Hot, Hot Sexy" for a soundscape of angular, thrusting guitars and laid back bass. "Let's Reggae All Night" could benefit from a lift and pay homage to ESG as it may have once intended, whereas the balls-out approach shines through on "Rat Is Dead (Rage)", a garage rock fist pumper for the ages.
But the name game comes back again as the second half of Donkey finds its footing with "Beautiful Song." The guitars pull back to complement the stirring synths, while the beat suits a party, not a riot. Whether it's the Tom Tom Club bounce of CSS's eponymous debut you crave, or something with a little more alcohol, this glass is half full.
Standout Tracks: "Beautiful Song," "Rat Is Dead (Rage)" ZACHARY BLOOM
