Somewhere in an alternate universe where the ’60s never ended and the “coconut wind” gently breezes by, Foxygen is contemplating the complexities of love and heartbreak with a space age sound fit for a ride in a UFO cruising at the speed of light. The result of this trip is …And Star Power, the latest release from Sam France and Jonathan Rado of Foxygen, this time joined by punk band Star Power, its fictional alter ego.
One of the most impressive parts of …And Star Power is how well the band draws from a myriad of influences and carefully crafts them into a mixed sound that feels at once familiar and entirely new. It feels as if the songs have always been with you, but you can’t remember when, where or how you heard them.
With a carefully constructed formula of heartbreak, UFOs and probably a few narcotics, Foxygen crafted an 82-minute double album of 24 songs. Much of the first half feels like a coping mechanism for a harsh breakup and produces the best songs on the album. “Star Power Airlines” begins the journey with what appears to be the sound of a broken plane, as if warning the audience that the only suitable device for this ride is a spaceship.
“How Can You Really” begins as a smooth piano groove with a story about a promising relationship that turned sour. As the chorus approaches, the tempo effortlessly increases, leading to a fast-paced sing-along perfect for an angry dance, suggesting the only way to crush the heartbreak is by dancing it off. A twangy, twin guitar solo glides through three tempos before leading into the final chorus.
Nestled in the middle of the album is the “Star Power” mini rock opera. It’s a four part series without much clarity or connective tissue other than the titles and the feeling that this breakup was worse than originally imagined. This portion is where the album pivots and turns from being about a failed relationship, and it takes off into another dimension filled with aliens and moody jams.
Disc two begins with “Hot Summer,” which feels like a sunny day at a boardwalk carnival. Following “Hot Summer” is the song’s foil, “Cold Winter/Freedom.” This is the soundtrack to a joyless trudge through black snow during wartime. It is uncomfortable, intimidating and haunting — as if someone is being followed — when all of a sudden, laser blasts mimic an alien abduction and the song is teleported to another place where guitar and piano clashes into a Velvet Underground-style jam. This is the “Freedom” portion, and freedom for Foxygen translates into chaos and loss of control.
After about two-thirds of the album, many of the songs begin to run together. But for the most part, this is a strong double album, with an array of styles and themes to capture the listener’s imagination and attention. The diverse sounds prove that Foxygen is capable of being more than simply a buzz band of recent memory, but rather a band that demands attention on and off the stage.
