Rules

Erlend Øye from Kings of Convenience initially wanted the Whitest Boy Alive to form as an electronic-based project, but on their second album Rules, the skewed vision solidifies even more as the quartet approximates dance music on standard rock band instruments, making for an outfit that sounds like a more festive Kings of Convenience and a grittier, earthier version of Parisian funksters Phoenix. If the distorted electric piano on “Keep a Secret” doesn’t get you moving, the four-on-the-floor disco rhythms are sure to charge your batteries. The short synthy breakdown on “Courage” is another moment of movement-inducing gold, but it’s the groove of “1517” that’s easily the most infectious moment here. “Island” is another solid standout with its dislocated keyboard intro that unveils mellow beats pulsing with the coolness of early ‘90s Madchester hits. Throughout the album Øye’s comforting tenor keeps things feeling relaxed and euphoric like a post-massage afterglow. Overall, Rules is slightly more mellow than the band’s 2006 debut Dreams.