SPIN

8

• SPIN Rating:8 of 10

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Release Date: May 24, 2011
Label: XL

On Friendly Fires' debut album, singer Ed MacFarlane imbued hip-shaking dance-rock with an emo boy's sensitivity. This time, he's all about hedonism, and what a relief: Better an ambitious second album that explores sexual urges ("Show Me Lights") and tropical jet-setting ("Hawaiian Air") than one bitching about rock-star isolation. His beat-savvy band, now including a horn section, matches the lyrics' carnal urgency with white-hot club-wreckers, jittery Afropop, and art rock that recalls Talking Heads at their funkiest.