In an electropop project uniquely for the Internet age, producer and remix specialist
Alan Wilkis offers big melodies on top of seriously catchy grooves along with distortion and loads of anxiety on his
Big Data full-length debut, the technology-themed
2.0. With its proven hit "Dangerous" making appearances in films (including 2014's Veronica Mars and Earth to Echo) and reaching number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart several months before the album's release,
2.0 will likely appeal to those who were drawn to the tune's tremendously hooky bassline and chorus, and lyrics about real or imagined surveillance sung by
Daniel Armbruster of
Joywave ("How could they know/How could they know what I've been thinking?/But they're right inside my head because they know"). Though each of the record's ten tracks features a different vocalist, all are similarly infectious and unsettling. The impressive mix of featured singers includes indie electronic artists
White Sea and
Twin Shadow,
Dragonette, the R&B-influenced
Kimbra and
Jamie Lidell, indie rockers
Bear Hands, and
Jenn Wasner of
Wye Oak. Most surprisingly,
Rivers Cuomo sings lead on "Snowed In" -- wordplay on NSA-surveillance whistleblower Edward Snowden. There's not a hint of
Weezer on the tune with its anxiety-filled thumps and authoritarian point of view: "Whistleblowing is an act of aggression/So he better run cuz I'm gonna teach him a lesson." Distorted bass, drums, and guitar; unexpected, prodding keyboard tones; and mechanical noises pepper the dance-inducing tracks, reflecting the creepy unease of similarly disconcerting lyrics delivered by otherwise alluring performances. This contradiction -- being drawn to something simultaneously troubling -- is the theme of the whole album as expressed in lyrics about our complicated and fearful relationship with helpful but invasive connected technologies. In short, this is pretty smart dance music. Besides being well plotted,
2.0's a satisfying full-length affair for those who can handle the needling, decidedly un-ambient sounds and persistent paranoia; it's highly recommended for neurotics, clubbers, and karaoke divas alike, but has the potential to connect broadly as danceable Zeitgeist. So, plug into some
Big Data and dance like no one's watching (but someone's probably watching). ~ Marcy Donelson