STRFKR

Add Date: February 19 

Artist: STRFKR 

Album: Miracle Mile 

Label: Polyvinyl 

Genre: Electropop, psych pop 

Comments: Formerly known as Starfucker, the Portland outfit started and fronted by Josh Hodges has done more than just tweak its name--and for radio purposes, let's continue to say "Star-F-er"--in advance of the release of its third LP, Miracle Mile. The band's weirdo electropop sound continues to get teased and tousled, a trait that you'll notice right away on the album's neo-disco opener "While I'm Alive".

Miracle Mile is a rather ambitious effort--in addition to STRFKR's usual fiddling around with styles ranging from electronica to funk to psychedelic pop, its 15-track, 50-minute run time places it on the long end of the alternative spectrum. So the record overall has some skippable moments, but the high points are acmes indeed. Turns out that the disco thing works pretty well; "While I'm Alive" and "Atlantis" are the two best tracks, splitting the difference between Neon Indian and Empire of the Sun. And there are some other good cuts as well, particularly the synthy psych pop of "Malmö" and "Sazed".

Spin tracks 1, 10, 3 and 2.