On their appropriately titled ‘Hyperdrama,’ Justice has gone all out. Their brand of maximalist electronic thumpers sounds increasingly enticing in the post-whisper pop sphere, and they’ve cleverly seized the opportunity presented by their first album in eight years.
While comparisons to their countrymen Daft Punk are understandable, Justice has always stood apart with its rock-influenced imagery and abrasive material. ‘Hyperdrama’ is their chance to further differentiate themselves, and they’ve done so with aplomb.
The album features a stellar cast of guests, including Tame Impala, Thundercat, and Miguel. The material got its first live airing over the past fortnight at Coachella, where it received rave reviews for its new stage production.
Musically, ‘Hyperdrama’ sees Justice reconciling with the sound of their 2007 debut, ‘Cross,’ while incorporating pop elements on their own terms. This is evident on the album’s first two singles, ‘One Night / All Night’ and ‘Generator.’
‘Generator’ is a standout track, showcasing the duo’s melodic prowess and garish production. It’s their heaviest studio recording since ‘Planisphere.’
The rest of ‘Hyperdrama’ continues in this vein, deftly weaving between vocal collaborators and pop structures. For every ‘Saturnine Dreams,’ featuring Miguel, there’s ‘Dear Alan,’ which shows flashes of the French-touch sound.
The album flows spectacularly, with the song suite between ‘Moonlight Rendezvous’ and ‘Saturnine’ being a particular highlight.
Justice has shown a passionate reverence for the album format with ‘Hyperdrama,’ from the artwork to the songs. It’s an engrossing listening experience that cements their status as one of the most innovative and exciting acts in electronic music today.
