The Go! Team

Semicircle

After going solo for 2015’s The Scene Between, Brighton-based pop mastermind Ian Parton returns with more of his signature melodic acumen on Semicircle, which, in addition to the usual collection of guest vocalists, features contributions from the Detroit Youth Choir, a particularly inspired move. Despite this influx of collaborative talent, things sound largely the same, but with a project as reliable as the Go! Team, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Album opener “Mayday” is an almost parodic roll call of the usual Go! Team tropes: blaring marching-band horns, trashcan beats and shout-along chants. Where Parton shines, however, is in his way with melody, and although there are perhaps fewer peaks than on previous efforts, there are some irresistibly catchy moments here. “If There’s One Thing You Should Know”

immediately belongs to the upper echelon of Parton’s work, featuring vocals from Maki, and the giddy chorus of “The Answer’s No - Now What’s the Question” basically commands you to clap your hands — relative unknown vocalist Darenda Weaver (whom Parton discovered on Bandcamp) acquits herself nicely on this one. The title track is another highlight, featuring smile-inducing introductions from the DYC members giving their astrological signs. In fact, Parton’s typical sample-heavy, live-off-the-floor production style starts to sound a little threadbare during sections that don’t involve vocalists — “Chico’s Radical Decade” for instance. Luckily, these moments are few and far between. (Memphis Industries)