Somehow, Foxy Shazam released a whole new album at the end of March and I didn’t even know about it! That makes me feel like a bad fan. But, I found it now, and I can tell you that Dark Blue Night is a treat.
With eighteen tracks, this is also probably some of their most eclectic work. Also, in comparison to their last two full length efforts, I found that I connected with this one a lot more. There are a lot of tracks that I think could be treated with fun videos, or as singles, and certainly should be featured on upcoming tours (fingers crossed). I know that the band’s roster has changed since their 2014 hiatus, so I am wondering if some of the newer members lent their vocal talents on some of the tracks, like “Cloud Rider,” “Rest Assured,” and “Ziggy.” The latter reads like a type of rapping which was a welcome addition to the multitude of styles presented on this album.
Another style that was totally new for the band came in the form of the techno-esque “Fireworks.” They offered up some more smooth sounds in “No Bravado,” while plenty of instrumentals and strings made appearances on the opening and closing tracks, as well as an interlude. All three were beautiful and I hope to hear them in a soundtrack someday! Truly, this band does not get the love it deserves. There were plenty of classic sounding Foxy tracks on the record, no fear, so that made songs like “I Can Change for You” and “The Forbidden Kind” instant likes for me. While I wasn’t crazy about “Lavish Life,” I giggled hard at some of the pop culture lyrics. For instance, the song featured lines saying “this Mac DeMarco beat is whack” and “John Cena parade.”
Like most albums these days, there were a handful of tracks that I just know I will never listen to again, but there were plenty of non-classic Foxy bits that really surprised me! At the top of the list was “Thrasher with Jim Carrey.” This was just such an awesome song! I know that lacks any real insight to how it actually sounded, but you’re just going to have to trust me. Another song that was really fun to listen to was “Savage Beauty.” That one kind of snuck up on me as I was listening to it, and by the end I was sold. Again, I will say I was taken by the mystery vocalists on the three tracks I mentioned above, so those certainly warrant a replay.
Overall, I was happy to have finally found my way to this new record. I can only hope that Foxy decides to tour again soon!