Painted Palms

"Great White"
from the EP Canopy
2011
iTunes

Sometimes, you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But if you're a broke college student like me, it may not be within your financial means to jet off to a tropical destination at the drop of a hat.

Now listening to this album wont get you a suntan, but you might feel like you're sitting in the warm sun – Painted Palms' EP Canopy is an aural vacation that takes you far away from the gritty city livin'.

If you're an Animal Collective lover, this album definitely takes some influence from them. The opening track entitled "All of Us" (Summer Jams '11) opens with a thumping drum that pulls you right into the song and the album and uses vocal elements similar to them. Although these elements are shared, "All of Us" is still unlike anything else out there – Painted Palms has successfully made something truly beautiful and catchy, but not kitschy.

The rest of the album is definitely more disco than the first track. Somehow, disco plus soundscapes equals awesome. Another notable track is the glittery and sensual "Great White." While it seems to a little out of place with the rest of the album, its still a good track, regardless.

I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a concept album, but it certainly feels like it. This EP takes you to the beach, underwater, and to the rainforest and that's why they're one of the most exciting electro-pop groups out right now. Painted Palms has been one of the few acts lately to get me really excited – it's pop-y, beautiful, visual, catchy but somehow also really relaxing. It's just good old-fashioned happy music.

~ Lauren Manary, The Deli