The fuzz surrounding Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr‘s latest release has been reaching a fever pitch over the last week. Check out “If You Didn’t See Me,” below:
http://youtu.be/GoP5B9ozUIE
The message is sound for the dance-addicted radio crowd of today: “You’re supposed to know by now, we’re just gonna keep on moving up, we’re just gonna keep on the dance floor…” Matched with the imagery of being both individualistic and unique simultaneously, also lends to this duo’s infectious sound. Borrowing flairs from today (their vocals remind me of Arcade Fire’s more upbeat tunes / sonic structure, as well as the melodic writing of Maroon 5) and the past (synthtastic production ala Blondie and Bowie mixed with Motown swagger), Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr is finding a masterful (and playful) balance here.
What really sets them apart is their groove and dance-floor mentality. Where many indie outfits get a little lost in themselves (can be too intellectual), Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr has a real strut to their sound, yet also maintains a quirky sentimentality.
Their latest is available at iTunes now, and you can check out their tour dates below:
10/08 House of Blues- Boston, MA*
10/09 Le Bain- New York, NY (DJ Set, Album Release Party)
10/10 Irving Plaza- New York, NY*
10/11 Irving Plaza- New York, NY*
10/12 Theatre of the Living Arts- Philadelphia, PA*
10/13 The Fillmore/Silver Spring- Silver Spring, MD*
11/01 House of Blues- Anaheim, CA*
11/06 The Wiltern- Los Angeles, CA*
11/07 The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA
11/09 Crystal Ballroom- Portland, OR*
11/10 Venue- Vancouver, BC*
11/11 Neptune Theatre- Seattle, WA*
11/23 Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI