Suicide Pact

Although they're reticent to call themselves a supergroup, JJAMZ are just that. The Los Angeles band comprises Jason Boesel (of Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley), James Valentine (of Maroon 5), Alex Greenwald (of Phantom Planet), solo artist Michael Runion, and singer Z. Berg (of The Like). “Get What You Want” opens their 2012 debut album, Suicide Pact, with slick and sophisticated radio pop, hinged on Phantom Planet’s hook-laden pop and laced with The Like’s alluring vocals. The title track struts with Maroon 5–style lilting grooves, as Berg’s playful singing and catchy melodies round out the edges. “Heartbeat” and “Square One” reveal a love for “Heart of Glass”–era Blondie (especially the latter, with Berg’s deliberate Debbie Harry–styled singing). The Berlin-esque male-female call-and-response vocals in “Lax” beg for more duets. The infectious standout “Cleverly Disguised” bounces with a “Lust for Life” bravado, save for the heavily reverberated surf guitars. Conversely, “Poolside” finds Berg singing in a muted and demure timbre more reminiscent of Ivy's Dominique Durand. A gorgeous cover of Tyrone Davis’ “Change My Mind” closes.