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The B-52s' first recording of the twenty-first century is an unashamedly ebullient pop song - in the style of Love Shack, but with a bit more pumped-up guitar. The band's instantly recognizable sound of up-tempo dance rock, with alternating male/female vocals, and zany humour is loud and clear. This doesn't bring anything new to the party but it's good to hear them sounding so fresh and lively after such a long break.
Produced by Steve (New Order, Happy Mondays) Osborne, Funplex is the title song of The B-52s' forthcoming new album, its bright and breezy sound making it an obvious single. While their early New Wave material was more edgy, the self-styled ‘world's greatest party band' have increasingly zoned in on the feelgood factor, and this track is certainly a fun if unchallenging listen.
In fact the upbeat music somewhat belies the lyrics, which are about how modern consumer society craves instant gratification in its bid to buy happiness. The excited anticipation of ‘I'm a pleasure seeker, shoppin' for a new distraction' later gives way to ‘Faster, faster, thrill, thrill/Too much to do/It's time for a pill', as the buzz wears off. Fortunately The B-52s still seem up for it thirty years after the release of their first, classic single Rock Lobster.
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