Listening to
Girl Ray
's third album,
Prestige
, is like getting an all-access pass to the most relaxed and inclusive dance party, the kind of place where it's easy to fall in love as you lope across the dancefloor with a drink and a smile. Inspired by the classic sounds of disco and fed by guitarist/vocalist
Poppy Hankin
's desire to write happier, more easygoing songs, the record is a smooth and glittery slice of shiny escapism dotted by the occasional moment of warm melancholy. The latter is hard for the band to escape because no matter how funky
Chic
Hankin
's guitar playing is, how tight the rhythm section of bassist
Sophie Moss
and drummer
Iris McConnell
gets, or how light and dreamy the melodies can be, there's still a smidge of reality that creeps in when
sings. Maybe it's because she avoids classic disco vocal tricks in favor of her usual down-to-earth croon or that the harmonies carry a sort of trilling sweetness, but this album sounds more fragile and innocent than most disco records, original or updated. That being said, they don't miss too many disco tricks, adding shimmering strings and a chunky clavinet solo to the percolating "Everybody's Saying That," snappy handclaps and a stop-start arrangement on "True Love," congas and twinkling synths on the very "More, More, More"-sounding "Hold Tight," and some slinky fretless bass and space age synths on "Easy." The trio don't just whip through a bunch of easy-baked knockoffs, they put a lot of care into the arrangements, and it's clear that
did some serious studying, because she captures the trademark
Nile Rodgers
guitar sound perfectly. While they mostly stick to various shades of disco, when they take some liberties the outcome is just as strong, if not even a little better. The record's last two tracks take a left turn into electro-pop, and the results are exciting enough that one can only hope it's a signpost of sorts for future work. "Space Song" is a beautiful ballad that features
's most affecting vocals balanced against synth swoops, echoing drumbeats, and firmly played piano chords. It's a real moment of emotional depth that hits extra hard after all the light and frothy songs that come before it. "Give Me Your Love" was produced by members of
Hot Chip
and unspools delightfully over eight minutes of bouncing bass lines, steel drums, angular guitar riffs, and vocals that are deeply felt somehow but hold back the emotions behind a facade of easy-to-see-through detachment. It's a stunning end to a cleverly devised and skillfully performed album that's pleasingly nostalgic, happily (for the most part) danceable, and best of all, perhaps, represents a return to form after the band's ill-advised foray into radio-ready modern pop. ~ Tim Sendra