Release Me

Release Me

The original members of the Like were barely out of high school when they signed to Geffen and released their debut back in 2005. Perhaps struggling with being tagged as industry-offspring (all three members’ dads were prolific music- industry figures), they eventually shook things up with a change in both band line-up and label. Morphing from a competent but unremarkable L.A.-flavored pop sound into a vintage couture-clad ‘60s-inspired girl group was quite a leap, and a smart move. From the finger-snapping swagger of “Wishing He Was Dead” (one imagines Dusty Springfield as inspiration here) and the Farfisa and hand-clap exuberance of “Square One,” to the British Invasion energy of “Release Me,” the quartet rivals other current, retro-flavored groups like the School and Lucky Soul for smart songs and snappy production (kudos to studio wizard Mark Ronson). Vocalist and chief songwriter Z Berg has a smooth, icy-sweet delivery, and the band — boosted here by three members of New York’s Dap-Kings — crisply nail the cool, hip-shaking vibe of the best vintage dance pop. What’s not to like?

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