Foxygen

Hang

JAGJAGUWAR. CD/DL/LP

Bats Los Angeles duo create their very own soul-infused Bat Out Of Hell.

While their nutty previous album …And Star Power was indebted to the Todd Rundgren of A Wizard, A True Star, Foxygen’s profoundly over-the-top follow-up nods to the soul side of the auteur’s 1973 classic. The first album Sam France and Jonathan Rado have recorded in a studio proper, Hang co-opts full orchestra, Matthew E. White as arranger (White collaborator Trey Pollard conducts), The Lemon Twigs as rhythm section and Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd. However, this is writers France and Rado’s album. Rather than a grand folly, the eight-song concoction is a joyful, lush and fittingly grandiose suite defined by France’s melodramatic voice, Southern soul electric piano, swooning Gamble & Huff strings, showtune swagger and glam-rock chug: all of which meld seamlessly. Looking for Station To Station as conceived by a fusion of Sparks, Lalo Schifrin, Jim Steinman and Rufus Wainwright? Head here.