'We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic' - Foxygen

Foxygen is an indie rock duo consisting of friends Sam France and Jonathan Rado, formed in California in 2005. After being discovered by music producer Richard Swift, they released their first album 'Take The Kids Off Broadway' in July 2012, and have returned with their second, 'We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic'.

The album title is a ridiculous mouthful, but you wouldn't expect any less from a band renowned for their kooky experimentalism and general oddity. The opening track, 'In The Darkness' is brilliantly strange and disorientating, and sounds as if it's taken straight from the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack. There are hints of The Kinks' sublime weirdness, only with added glamour.

'No Destruction' is a prime example of the band drawing inspiration from 60s rock bands. Vocalist Sam France sounds wonderfully Marc Bolan-esque and despite telling a tale of lost love, the song sounds anything but bitter - "you politely say I miss you but we know you don’t mean that anymore" a forlorn France croons.
Layers of piano, narcotic drums and France's wails combine to form 'On Blue Mountain'. The chorus is reminiscent of Elvis Presley's 'Suspicious Minds' only bluesier, and replacing a gospel choir with child-like backing vocals. It's beautifully hazy yet still raw and charged with energy. 

'Shuggie', the first single from the album, oozes with jazz. France sings of rhinoceros-shaped earrings and unrequited love, before breaking into a glorious 'believe in yourself' chorus. At around 2.30 minutes the track veers off down a funky instrumental road and the wild journey ends with a good old sing-along.

Every track sounds like Ray Davies on psychedelics and the album is a feast of quirkiness and creativity. What's even more impressive is that fact that it took only two chefs to make something so delicious to the ears.