Audio By Carbonatix
Why a trio with such a sunny, uplifting vibe named itself after one of the most annoying insects on the planet is anybody’s guess, but on its second outing, it offers up another generous 15-track helping of twinkling pop gems that fuse the bright, cheery vibe of ’60s bossa nova with the innocence of ’80s dance music and the sharpness of ’90s indie pop. Juju Stulbach, like many female Brazilian singers, has a warm, breathless tone that purrs with sexuality — a perfect complement to the subtle swing of guitarist/singer (and husband) Chris Root and producer and multi-instrumental whiz Jon Marshall Smith. The arrangements bounce all over the map but never strike a false note. “So Vocé e Eu” combines a samba bounce, a bit of twangy guitar, faux marimba and Stulbach’s bilingual purr, and “Blue Heart” sounds like Devo dancing at the carnival of broken dreams, while “Domesticada” blends hip-hop and synth pop with a bit of Roots guitar grit.
