Quite similar to their 2015 debut,
Pharmacy,
The Aviary takes
Galantis' pop-centric spin on electronic dance music and slathers it all with a heavy tropical sauce. That island influence cements the album firmly in 2017 -- for better or worse -- resulting in a radio-friendly set of songs that, at times, is fairly indistinguishable from the myriad options produced by contemporaries like
Zedd,
Cash Cash, and
Martin Garrix. From the standard builds to the calculated drops,
Galantis know how to keep the body moving and
The Aviary is pleasant enough to soundtrack a house party or a day at the pool, but once the fun is over, listeners are unlikely to remember much.
The Aviary's guest vocalists do their part to at least carve out their own sonic spaces.
Bonnie McKee appears on the playful "Hey Alligator" while
Rozes lends her talents to "Girls on Boys." Other acts, like
Poo Bear and
Hook N Sling, are also featured, but a handful of standouts help elevate their tracks above the crowded dancefloor.
David Guetta collaborator
Sam Martin brings an
Empire of the Sun vibe to the sunny "Call Me Home," while singer
Hannah Wilson's distorted, R&B-influenced delivery on "Hunter" recalls
Sia. If anything, the opening track, "True Feeling," captures the mood of the entire album. The
Wrabel-assisted single is bright electronic pop at its best, featuring
The Aviary's most satisfying festival-worthy build and release. Overall, while
Galantis don't tread much new ground here,
The Aviary is a bright summertime album that nevertheless inspires a big smile and a full heart. ~ Neil Z. Yeung