Having already been in release in their native New Zealand for quite some time, it’s a wonder that KIDS OF 88’s JUST A LITTLE BIT didn’t arrive in the ‘States sooner. The electro-pop duo of Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy quietly saw the U.S. release of the JUST A LITTLE BIT EP/Single this past November through Dryden Street/Sony Independent Network, and it’s just now starting to grow some legs.
The five-song set features the title track in it’s standard version, alongside two remixes and the songs “Downtown” and “Sqrl.” While all five tracks make for some solid, booty-shaking listening, it’s “Just A Little Bit” that shines, making it easy to see why they chose the song as their introduction to American audiences.[Note: While the CD copy provided for review features the aforementioned tracklisting, the iTunes version contains only the single alongside two different tracks – “Ribbons of Light,” and “Apart of You]
It’s synth-driven groove brings to mind the most pop elements of NEW ORDER and THE HUMAN LEAGUE, while fans of the first KILLERS record or Decaydance output should dig the hell out of this. The two included remixes do little in adding to the original song, surprising seeing as KIDS OF 88 themselves have handled chopping duties for KE$HA and COBRA STARSHIP in the past.
Three original cuts are too little to predict the overall power of an artist, but when their debut full-length SUGARPILLS arrives later this year, I will be listening.
Rating: 3.5/5
