{grate 4} In No Kids’ group photo on the back of Come Into My House,
something delightfully awkward resonates with the seemingly forced smiles of
the rosy-cheeked woman, balding man and gawky lad with spectacles. From the
looks of it, who would’ve known that this side project of lo-fi pop collective
P:ano was packing a bit of sexy? Mmm yes, because nothing makes a girl swoon
more than a sultry sounding fellow accompanied by baby-making beats.
The classical- and jazz-influenced track “Great Escape” does
just that. Nick Krgovich’s wistful vocals over a beautifully syncopated score
of snares, keys, strings and horns is eerily dreamlike; close your eyes, and
you’ll find yourself in one of Michel Gondry’s whimsical films flying on a toy
pony or erasing memories of a shitty lover.
“Bluster in the Air” is another between-the-sheets” track,
blending reserved falsettos and orchestration with the right amount of crisp
electronic beats to excite Prince fans (minus the purple velvet suit and
ruffled blouse). But it’s not until “The Beaches Are Closed” that listeners
half expect to hear an old-school bump ‘n’ grind Janet Jackson hook, rich in
kick drum reverb that puts this young
band’s album alongside indie-pop sensation Rilo Kiley’s Under the Blacklight.
From the random, party-down Architecture in Helsinki-esque
handclaps to Krgovich’s charming vocals, No Kids makes a provocative
breakthrough debut with its avant-garde compositional work that feeds
listeners’ insatiable lust for chill evening tunes or hipster pop ballads. So
get dolled up and light the candles — it’s going to be a good night.
