Stream: Milo Greene, ‘White Lies’

Kevin Bronson on September 29th, 2014

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Milo Greene’s sparkling 2012 debut was notable for two qualities: an organic indie-pop feel that harked back to the folk-rockers of the 1970s and a distinctly democratic approach – i.e., principals Andrew Heringer, Marlana Sheetz, Robbie Arnett and Graham Fink, who are joined by drummer Curtis Marrero, traded vocal duties like appetizers at an office happy hour. So “White Lies” – the first song to emerge from Milo’s sophomore album, “Control” (out Jan. 27 via Elektra) – might shock the senses. Sheetz’s airy vocals dominate (and multiply) as the quintet jets into the 1980s with a dusting of synths and tricky but danceable rhythms. The new album was made earlier this year with producer Jesse Shatkin (Sia, Foster The People, Ellie Goulding) and features contributions from the estimable Joey Waronker. “White Lies” lacks nothing for catchiness, but it could have been done by any of a dozen electro queens in the marketplace these days. Whether this is representative of the whole direction of “Control,” of course, remains to be seen. “Don’t be / so surprised / I’m no longer hiding,” to quote a lyric out of context. I supposed there’s a dance-floor diva in everybody.

||| Stream: “White Lies”