Rae & Christian - Mercury Rising Album

After the sad dissolution of Grand Central Records, it seemed as if Rae & Christian were done producing music as a pair after two astounding albums, and that made me sad. So imagine my surprise while browsing my favorite record store 13 years since their last album and discovering MERCURY RISING -- not a compilation of old tracks or unreleased material, but a new album of new songs. I bought it without hesitating. And it was worth every penny. Though they head into pop territory with the opening track, "Happy," featuring the lead singer of Foster the People, it's a glorious slice of joy. The pop comes bck in "Favourite Game," which is infectious, despite being a bit silly. No worries, though, they more than prove their hip-hop bonafides with "Check the Technique," which is so old school with its samples, scratching and cutting, it might as well never graduate (though the melodic interlude shoots it to the top of the class). "A2B" continues the hip-hop vibe with a slice of throwback funky fresh pep. "1975" goes for some moody house with indie rock vocals from Sam Genders, But Gita Langley brings things to a melancholy pause with the slower "I'm Still Here." "Travis," goes for electro pop with vocals from Rae himself, while the strings on "Dancr" buoy the track as the breaks come in to get your feet moving. Ed Harcourt adds a wistfulness to the hints of country music on "The Ballad of Rosa Shanina." But it's the reappearance of Kate Rogers on "Still Life Freefall" that's the most exciting, considering the amazing work she's done with them and Aim. "Sweethome" keeps the rhythm slower, but with a more positive spin, and the title track closes the album on a moody note with a richly orchestrated piece. I sincerely hope we don't have to wait another decade before we hear more of Rae & Christian's work.