HOW TO DRESS WELL: TOTAL LOSS

GENRE | FRONT OF THE BACKING TRACK
VERDICT | KINDA WIN
LABEL | ACEPHALE RECORDS
RELEASE | 9.18.12

The sophomore project of songwriter/producer Tom Krell (aka How To Dress Well) fuses R&B, pop, and minimalist electronics to desired effect.

It’s moody and not without its jazzy and introspective moments, but the album’s focal point is a sexy, vaguely retro (think early ‘90s) vibe that gives each individual track cohesiveness.

That said, Krell takes writing some electronic-pop songs really seriously. So while naming Janet Jackson as an influence makes it sound like the album is going to be really fun, the majority of tracks are so full of slow-burning gravitas that it becomes mundane. The best (and most obnoxiously named) track is “& It Was U,” with its falsetto vocals and snappy backbeat, although “Set It Right” is heartfelt and has a uniquely full sound for this project.

Despite the occasional static, the sexiness prevails.

And the fact that you can keep it playing without really thinking about it means that it’s probably the best music to bone to.

If that’s what matters to you. No judgment.

HOW TO DRESS WELL
WITH o F F Love

SUN 10.7.12
BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL
158  BRIGHTON AVENUE
ALLSTON
617.562.8800
8PM/18+/$12
@BRIGHTON_MUSIC
BRIGHTONMUSICHALL.COM