Lesser Known

Personnel: Benny Boeldt (vocals, synthesizer); Denny Bowen (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Riyadh Drebika.
Adventure's first album dabbled with 8-bit chips, but on his second, he changed up his sound for 2011's glossier Lesser Known. The kitsch factor is still high, lush with cheesy synthesizers, bubbling bass tones, vintage drum machines, and a sugary vocal wash. However, what starts out rooted in chillwave and VHS montage scenes morphs toward the second half of the album, as the man behind the curtain, Benny Boeldt, exchanges his Yazz and Pet Shop Boys influences for acid house and rave beats. Since Dan Deacon is a personal friend of Boeldt's, it's no surprise that club music would rub off, but even when the wheels start spinning and electro funk is cross-referenced, the all-too-cute, retro `80s aesthetic is ever present. "Lights Out" and "Relax the Mind" are circular, bumping dance tracks with the vocal hook set on repeat (for the full lyrics, just consult the song titles). These would fit in nicely on a clubby mix that features tracks from Bibio's and Toro y Moi's 2011 albums, while the mellower numbers "Feels Like Heaven" and "Meadows" sway in the summer breeze with the wistfulness of M83 and Small Black. ~ Jason Lymangrover