boygirL

Demo LP (self-released)

By Amber Drea
Published: May 23rd, 2005 | 11:30am

I know we're all sick of '80s electro dance pop, but L.A.-based duo boygirL is so sexy and infectious that you won't be able to deny it. Producer Kaz Gamble and vocalist Sisely Treasure previously recorded under the moniker Cooler Kids and released their only full-length, Punk Debutante (Dreamworks) in 2003. While that album seemed inspired by disco and house music, boygirL now uses more minor chord progressions, syncopated beats, and industrial synthesizers in the vein of Siouxsie & the Banshees and Blondie.

Treasure's voice is reminiscent of Lady Miss Kier from Deee-Lite and the more club-friendly Madonna. She sings mostly about the complexities of modern relationships: people who say they'll call and then don't on “Krush,” opening up your heart on “Take Me There,” and taking love for granted on “Comfortable.” Songs like “Roses” and “So Famous” touch on the superficiality of a fast-paced lifestyle while “Stranded” deals with depression and the Kate Bush-esque “Last Breath” addresses the feeling that time is running out. Treasure delivers her lyrics through a dynamic range of emotions and unpredictable melodies, but no matter the subject matter, a sense of fun is always at the song's core.

Gamble fleshes out the tracks with electric guitars, sequenced string arrangements, and layer upon layer of keyboards and beats. Incorporating elements of techno and trance into inventive pop structures, he masterfully uses distortion, delay, and filters for texture and fullness. Energetic rhythms and controlled intensity drive these songs, each of which overflows with originality and creativity.

Though boygirL is currently an independent entity by choice, I guarantee they won't remain so for long. With a finished record that basically contains 14 singles and a music video on the way, major and indie labels will soon be sniffing at their door. Oh, and did I mention that they're both extremely easy on the eyes?