Jex Opolis - Human Emotion

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  • On his latest EP, Jered Stuffco invites a distracted lover—"never mind what's on TV," he pleads on the title track—to feel some "human emotion." If the musical range here is anything to go by, Stuffco is in close touch with his own. Its tracks draw from funk, disco, soft rock and R&B with a suaveness that recalls Metro Area. Stuffco is smooth, but not coolly so—on "Human Emotion"'s vocal and dub versions, he sings like a puppyish Michael McDonald. Human Emotion's instruments are equally expressive. In fact, Stuffco's musicianship has rarely felt as rich as it does here. On many of his previous tracks, the leads were usually the focal points, with tracky rhythms and harmonies in supporting roles. By contrast, every part of "Fifth Wind" draws the ear. Sighing vocal synths, electric piano and springy basslines echo the upwardly mobile utopia of Japanese City Pop, and a melodious 303 whistles along. The B-side tracks also impress. On "Botanico," vocal harmonies glide above vibraphones and organs, with another great bassline underneath. Glistening electric piano chords set the tone on the New York house-evoking "Infinity Room," whose keys roam as freely as the title suggests.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Human Emotion (TV Dub) A2 Fifth Wind B1 Botanico B2 Infinity Room B3 Human Emotion
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