Song of the Day: STRFKR - While I'm Alive

Local Music, Song of the Day
02/08/2013
Gerrit Feenstra
photo by Tyler Kohlhoff

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song comes from Portland psych-rock electro pop all-around good time STRFKR. "While I'm Alive" leads their new album Miracle Mile, out February 19 on Polyvinyl Record Co..

STRFKR - While I'm Alive (MP3)

If you weren't jamming out to the 2011 STRFKR album Reptilians at some point during that year, you were seriously living under a rock. Hitting the scene's synth pop sweet spot at just the right time, the album helped STRFKR break through the noise and populate the dance floor. Their mixture of rock, dance, synth pop, and psychedelic is pretty unique unto themselves. No one has really pulled it off with such finesse, or at least, no one has seemed like they are having as much fun. With new record Miracle Mile, STRFKR plan to continue their trajectory towards the moon with a powerful energy.

"While I'm Alive" is the first single from Miracle Mile and shows us that STRFKR has no intention of letting up on their inertia now. The track tones down the synthetic overload of dance anthems like "Bury Us Alive" to dial into a funky groove that offers quite a bit of dark, sensual energy while still screaming STRFKR. Mystery shrouds the verse in black and white until the whimsical chord progression of the hook comes in and shakes things up in perfect fashion. The chorus echoes the funk and dance fusion of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club in an awesome way. It's a bit toned down for STRFKR, but in a newfound subtlety, we find some excellent instrumentation and undeniably awesome grooves. It's another hit from this already very impressive act, and it will (as with all great STRFKR cuts) be a blast in the live setting.

Miracle Mile is out February 19 on ridiculously gorgeous colored vinyl and CD. They start their tour in support of the record right here in Seattle on February 26 at the Neptune Theater. Blackbird Blackbird is opening! You will definitely want to be there.

Find out more on the band's website and Facebook page. For now, here's another new song from the forthcoming album:

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