Classixx shoot for the stars with their sophomore effort, Faraway Reach. While the debut album from Los Angeles duo Tyler Blake and Michael David flirted with pop, their follow up goes all out. Their songwriting remains a strong point, and they turn to some similarly inclined collaborators for vocal duties. Passion Pit's Michael Angelakos pops up on "Safe Inside," his sincere falsetto pairing well with Classixx's bouncy production. The duo heads in a more disco-fied direction with "I Feel Numb," and in a genius move tap newly minted Jewish deli owner and Holy Ghost! frontman Alex Frankel for more feelgood vibes. How to Dress Well adds his diva-esque pipes to the anthemic EDM of "Just Let Go." And then we get T-Pain doing whatever he wants on the low slung standout "Whatever I Want." The album is filled with warm, welcoming moments. Tropical, breezy and laid back, Faraway Reach could easily soundtrack your summer, if not your life. Twelve tracks in all. Released by Innovative Leisure on double vinyl housed in a full color sleeve.

• double vinyl pressing
• music label: Innovative Leisure 2016

reviewed by brighter futures 06/2016