The forecast calls for clear skies and 100% chance of funk.
Another year, another TWRP album. Formerly known as Tupper Ware Remix Party, this prolific funk/synthwave group have put out an album a year for the last 4 years.
This new album feels like the laser edged retro future katana of funky sound waves the band have been building toward since the release of their equally upbeat and groovy album Ladyworld in 2017. A hard group to put in a single category – TWRP are at this point known for their use of the talk-box and synthesizer, as well as being the funkiest foursome on the digital radio waves today.
Along with new looks for each of the band members, the band sports some new sounds on this album including, but not limited to, non talk-box singing from lead singer/keytarist, Doctor Sung. New synthesizer sounds, from traditional synthwave echoes to more nostalgic organ tones harkening back to surefire influences like Sly & the Family Stone. The first single, Bright Blue Sky feels like a distilled experience of pure TWRP funk-fantasy. Robotic vocals follow a catchy melody strung atop a hefty bass-line, crunchy guitars and perfectly timed drums. Wrapped just beneath the wall of funky sound is the textbook TWRP hyper positive lyrics, proclaiming pride in one’s friends and where how we all struggle but together, we all can make our days a little better.
“It ain’t been easy but I’m proud of you, Always rolling with the punches and pushing on through..”
The other two singles have intergalactic vocal features from Diamond Cafè and Starcadian on the mellow groove Found Your Love and the bombastic retro Polygon, respectively. New and Improved also features many TWRP-only songs, some which capture the dreamlike, Mario Kart soundtrack, sun drenched techno-future sounds then and have been honing for years like Planet Bass and Terraform. Superior Moves being its own standout on its own for the aforementioned lack of talk-box as well as the most pleasant melody in this star quadrant. The most surprising feature on this perfect 41.5 minutes of groove and love is astronaut Chris Hadfield on Re-Entry. Hadfield recounts the feelings of re-entering Earth’s atmosphere and the relief of touching back down safely over a fantastical, bubbly, sparkling groove from the band.
New and Improved certainly lives up to its name, and is available now on Spotify, Bandcamp, and Apple Music for your listening pleasure.
TWRP
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