Consisting of electronic / disco / synth / dream-pop musicians Farao and Special-K, Ultraflex create music that seems ingrained into your DNA if you grew up on late night cable access TV, VHS culture, and 1980s workout classes. That exercise esthetic is prominent throughout their debut album, Visions of Ultraflex, and even their live performances (which often have them doing aerobics to their own music).
I mean, the first track is called “Get Fit,” and is perfect for a warm-up yoga session. The band’s name is the most repeated line in the song when they’re not encouraging you to “Get fit, get ripped, get a lover, get kids.” The electro-drums and sexy, breathy vocals of “Work Out Tonight” would make Janet Jackson envious. The electro-poppy “Papaya” might be about naughty bits. The saxophone throughout it is reminiscent of many Cinemax late night film scores.
“Never Forget My Baby” blooms like the theme to a Saturday morning talk show that focuses on fitness, exotic locations, and hot trends in dating. The vocals echo around your bedroom and produce the perfect atmosphere for making out. “Man U Sheets” sounds like the name of a naughty He-Man villain, and that seductive saxophone and sexy synths are more powerful than a Charm Person spell cast by Evil-Lyn.
“Olympic Sweat” is synthwave bliss. It’s like floating on a cool stream after you’ve been in a sauna with your lover. “You’re not really my type, but this is your lucky night,” they sing on the cheeky and delightful “Slave to Your Crush” – which is filled with bright synths, electro-pop beats, and a sense of fun missing in a lot of dance music. The closer, “Secret Lover,” sounds like something Prince wrote down after a wet dream. The electro-phat bass, 1980s fashion show synths, and near-industrial beats are great combination.
I hope these two ladies keep putting out records, because this one is superb. They have a future as bright as their synths ahead of them with a debut album this good.
Keep your mind open.
[Flex your arm over to the subscription box.]
[Thanks to Frankie at Stereo Sanctity.]
