Brooklyn four-piece Dakota Jones blast off into sonic heaven on sophomore album Heartbreakers Space Club. Released today, the short and sweet 30 minute record dons its spacesuit and travels through topics of sexuality, love, and lust in a soulful R’n’B, Motown, and hip-hop infused synth-funk melting pot.
Right from the beginning, the New Yorkers establish a futuristic sound fit for a space opera. Opener ‘Moon Song’ thumps and warbles with organs and dramatic distorted guitar melodies, before stepping off the spaceship with the soft synth pads and plaintive chanting of ‘Misbehave Me’. The shimmering keys and funky basslines of the following ‘Downtown’ and ‘Call It Off’ even sound like a soundtrack for floating through a futuristic market on the moon – Dakota Jones know exactly where they want to take you, and they do so with great effect.
Songwriter and vocalist Tristan Carter-Jones has always brought her race and sexuality to the fore, and this is no different on or off this planet. Switching between her intensely powerful and rich singing voice and assuredly delivered raps on tracks like the opener, ‘Dissent’N’Gin’ and ‘Break It Off’, Carter-Jones is a master in exhibiting her complete package. A highlight of this package is nestled at the end of the latter song, where she self-references her delivery as a metaphor for her sexual attraction between her and her partner in a multi-layered, perfectly placed one-liner: “We freestyle, our bodies are ad-libbing”.
There are hints of more earthly sounds on the record, strung effectively through the album. The gritty, earthy sound of single ‘Sugar Pie’ grounds the listener after the aforementioned opening run, with its swaying, soulful vocals and choppy low brass accompaniment. The bassy plucks and confrontational lyrics – “Who you scared of now?” – that could only be delivered by a vocalist with feet firmly on the ground bring the album near to its close on penultimate track ‘Scared’.
Indeed, the closer ‘Countdown’ is a swaying Motown-esque number more reminiscent of their debut album Black Light. As Carter-Jones literally counts down from six, there is a real sense of the band coming back down to earth from their extra-terrestrial journey – listeners will indeed feel lucky to be part of this adventure upon experiencing this record.
A final twist, however – some synths rear their head once more right at the death of this more earthly sounding closer. Is this a hint at more outer space soul from the band to come in the future? Who knows – either way, it’s certainly a pleasure to be part of the Heartbreakers Space Club with Dakota Jones for now.
Words by David Harrold
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