Aabenbaringen Over Aaskammen (Deluxe Edition)

iTunes Review

It’s both crazy and appealing when a band cites influences as disparate as Fela Kuti, New Order, and Paul Simon. Such declarations can lead to head-scratching but can also result in a big party behind the glittery curtain, and that’s precisely where Norway’s Casiokids take us. This quartet makes charming and sweet electro-pop, with enough curveballs and oddities in the mix to keep it interesting (the Norwegian lyrics contribute to that aspect). The title track is an orchestral piece rife with flutes and accordions, which yield to rainforest sounds. The title translates as “the revelation over the mountain,” and the record is (wink, wink) a nod to “Dr. Tarzan Monsoon” and his adventure stories. The twittering birds give way to the friendly swagger of “Det Haster!,” where a brooding synth line runs through the tune like an omen vying for attention amid the playful, finger-snapping rhythm and airy vocals. From that point forward, songs like “Dresinen” and “Golden Years” deliver perky, crisp, and often cinematic electro-pop that’s never exactly what you expect it to be.