RAC's André Allen Anjos spent the better part of a decade establishing himself as one of music's hardest-working remixers, crafting a sound that straddled the line between indie and pop with a capital P. On
Strangers, his first album of original material, Anjos collaborates with many of the artists whose songs he remixed, including
YACHT,
Penguin Prison, and
Tokyo Police Club, but his most recognizable contribution is still his playful, detailed production work.
RAC's sound remains bouncy and just short of busy, dominated by breezy synths and chugging muted guitars. This approach puts Anjos' collaborators in the spotlight, and
Strangers works best when the singers have enough charisma to sell this formula. The previously released singles remain highlights: "Let Go," which features
MNDR and
Bloc Party's
Kele, is as bouncy and bittersweet as ever, and a refreshing contrast to the angular rock the band returned to on
Four. "Hollywood," a collaboration with
Penguin Prison's
Chris Glover, has a slick new wave vibe that evokes
Julian Casablancas' solo work. Several of
Strangers' newer tracks are nearly as good, particularly the collaborations with
Body Language,
Tegan and Sara, and
Peter Bjorn and John's
Peter Morén. "Ready for It," which features
St. Lucia's Jean-Philip Grobler and Patricia Beranek, feels like a 21st century update of
Animotion or
Human League with its fizzy synth pop and girl-guy vocals, while the poignant "Tourist" finds
Tokyo Police Club's
David Monks wondering, "Are we strangers forever or are we strangers for now?" in another of the album's standouts. ~ Heather Phares