Public Release’s lucky thirteen and second release of 2017 is by another kindred spirit newcomer to the label, Earth Boys, a Brooklyn-based duo that’s all dreamy keys, soft pads, peace frogs, throwback vibes, and deftly futuristic house rhythms, though not necessarily in that order. With Trail Mix, Mike Sherburn and Julian Duron have built four gloriously friendly, oddball house cuts— cheeky, choppy vocal samples juxtaposed against schmaltzy piano licks and punchy tribal rhythms rubbing against smooth bass figurations. Their ironic sense of humor intersects with precisely crafted productions in a way that underscores both, making the EP a brilliant concoction of bouncy, energetic dance music that teases the genre as much as it revels in it. If that messes with your head, just shut down your left brain, drop the needle, take a big ol’ rip, and see where a microdose of Earth Boys will take you.
