Staff Reviews

Part Time - PDA

Review by Ben Philpott

An enjoyable, knuckle-headed journey into one man's vision of perfect pop.»

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Part Time's sophomoric effort 'PDA' picks up from where 2011's 'What Would You Say?' debut left us: starry-eyed, sugar rushed and eager for another night drive. David Speck, the creative mind behind the project has an undeniable ear for writing pop songs that feel steeped in a perpetual state of teenage romance. Each track on 'PDA' boasts a timeless, strangely familiar melody - cushioned by achingly perfect chord progressions that fall precisely into place, and all produced in a style befitting of its playfully referential nature. Part Time can almost feel like catching a glimpse into Speck's own private karaoke booth as he croons, wails and whispers through each song; dressed in various thrift-store costume pieces and framed by broken sets of mood lighting. This is a quality reflected in Speck's penchant for churning out handheld / DIY music videos at a rate which nearly rivals his prolific songwriting output. These goofy, spoof-like visual accompaniments serve to enhance the project's aesthetic sensibilities, pushing its postmodern irreverence to fun new heights. In saying that, 'PDA' is still an undeniably fun record, and a colorful pastiche that cycles through Speck's choice 80s pop tropes; guitar jangle, keytar leads, sexy basslines, fried synth wiggles and a karaoke songbook chock full of lost hits by The Smiths, The Cure, The Cars and Devo.
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