Album Reviews: Dynasty Electric – Golden Arrows

Every once in a while, an album comes along that brims with attitude, energy, and angst. These are the albums that really make statements. A perfect example of such an album can be found with Dynasty Electric’s Golden Arrows. The Brooklyn-based duo, headed by the vocals of Jenny Electrik and backed by the instrumentation and songwriting of Seth Misterka, teamed up with the seasoned hip hop producer Ski Beatz, and what resulted is truly something special.The LP, spanning 12 tracks and 37 minutes, features Electrik’s sultry vocals juxtaposed with a high-gain electronic backdrop. This album turns the intensity up full-tilt from the very beginning, and never looks back.

Listen While You Read

The Pros

That voice. With any traditional female vocalist, this album be pretty good, but the vocals of Jenny Electrik truly set this album over the top. Her singing is not only seductive and enticing, but also very technically impressive. Each track feels as if it has its own mood, stemming directly from that magical voice. Additionally, the range of production on Golden Arrows is very impressive. Tracks like “Radiation” and “Reality Check” give off a dirty, gritty punk rock vibe, while others like “Bird Song” and “Friends” are more sweet and poppy. The instrumentation and layering on this album fit each individual track perfectly, and the deep subtleties shine through more and more with each listen. All told, this album really packs a punch.

The Cons

A few of the songs on the LP tend to get a bit repetitive, which can make them feel a bit washed out at times. Although the production is masterfully done and well variated, the songs do not really ever stray from the same basic formula of an electronica-based song. Other than that, I really cannot find anything negative to say about this album.

The Verdict

Golden Arrows is truly a rare work. The combination of the vocal mystique of Jenny Electrik paired with the catchy hooks from Seth Misterka’s instrumentation and beautifully blended together by the engineering of Ski Beatz makes for an album that will not soon be forgotten. Although repetition becomes a minor issue in several tracks, there really is nothing that could stop the album from blowing up. For that reason, I’m giving this album a bid for 402′s yearly Album of the Year contest. I’d be a fool if I didn’t recommend that you go and buy this album. Trust me, it won’t disappoint.