#phantom pop

Today's KAITO module of the day is:

Sunday Spotlight: Phantom Pop

Length: 41:05

Release: 2014

Host Spotlight: Nicely Done

Notes: Self described as "face-melting pop", Wild Party has exactly one album to their name and you're looking at it. While they have a smattering of other singles released here and there over the past 8 years, Phantom Pop is a treasure and delight in of itself. If you at any point jumped on the indie-alt train of the late 2000s early 2010s like I did, there's a strong chance some radio station played a song off this album. Whether it was one of the "hits" such as OutRight or When I Get Older, or other sleeper tracks like Life's Too Short or Chasin' Honey, Wild Party was effective at capturing a sound and playing with it throughout the entire album.

Personally, my foot in the door was Life's Too Short. I happened to stumble across this track while listening to a random radio station and went "oh yeah, this song! I love this song. Maybe I should check these guys out." You can imagine my initial disappointment to only see one album to my utter delight that the entire album was a smash hit.

Funny enough, the tracks I enjoy the most at the moment are actually none of the above! New Light, Violet, and Lo-Fi Children all capture a sort of restless, in-between feeling. Not quite the sense of You Only Live Once but more in line with enjoying the now and who you are. Pursue what you want to pursue! Don't settle for anything!

Now I'm a slut for final songs and First Two Days With You delivers. It really does capture that restless, joyous spirit but a little more calmly, almost in reflection, before belting and shouting out at the end. A final triumphant shout against all of it. You're going to make and you're going to enjoy it! But Nicely Done. Oh maaaaaaaaaan Nicely Done. While I appreciate what First Two Days With You does, I'd argue Nicely Done is the better final track. Because it's cheeky. It's the hand outstretched, inviting you on their journey, an invitation to an escape. I understand why you wanted to dial it back for the last track but I think it was a missed opportunity to really just lean into what Nicely Done is doing and go out with a cheeky smile and grin, leaving on the wind, smiling on the adventure.

“Lot 665, Mesdames et Messieurs... a papier-mache musical box, in the shape of a barrel-organ. Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals. This item, discovered in the vaults of the Palais Garnier, still in working order. “

“Showing here. “

“Would it let you down if we don't grow up?

Would it make you proud if we gave up?

What about anybody?