Ears Wide Open: Made in Heights

Kevin Bronson on July 14th, 2014

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sabz kelz

To update a Cracker lyric: What the world needs now is another producer-driven electro-pop duo like I need a hole in my head. David Lowery wrote that 22 years ago about folk singers, and, of course, it did nothing to stem the tide of new folk singers, especially good ones. Which brings me to Made in Heights. For every 20 synth-pop duos making standard hand-holding fare, there is one like the Los Angeles-based duo of Alexei Saba (aka DJ Sabzi of Seattle rap duo Blue Scholars, born Alexei Saba Mohajerjasbi) and singer Kelsey Bulkin, a San Diego County native. The pair met at a wedding (he was the DJ, she was the singer) and collaborated in fits and starts over a couple years, releasing an EP and, eventually, both relocating to L.A. The music is spare and sexy electro-R&B, with Saba’s sophistication far outstripping most of the genre’s beats and tones, many of which sound as if they’re plucked from some menu that exists in the cloud. For her part, Belkin is sublime, delivering whip-smart, evocative lyrics tweaked for modern ears. A couple of Made in Heights tunes turned up on a (hilarious, owing to the comedy sketches) mixtape released on DJ Sabzi’s Bandcamp in December, and there’s plenty more on “Made in Heights,” released to iTunes last November. Success on Hype Machine has elevated the duo’s online profile, and after some under-the-radar shows they appear ready for their star turn. While “Mantis” nicks Cyndi Lauper, “All the Places'” heady, rapid-fire couplets set it apart. Bring on the encore.

||| Stream: “All the Places,” “Mantis” and “Murakami”