The princes of funk-rock have, finally, dropped their debut album ‘Razzmatazz’. I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME (or iDKHOW for short), have been making waves ever since lead singer Dallon Weekes introduced the band at an LA bar in 2016. Now, two years since their formal debut in 2018, this Bowie inspired record is sending them to new dizzying heights.
The album kicks off with self professed “hipster nonsense” that precedes lead single ‘Leave Me Alone’. While iDKHOW’s music is by no means on the heavy side of things, ‘Leave Me Alone’ demonstrates that you don’t have to be shredding away at the guitar to be talented. It’s full of catchy bass lines and an energetic drum beat courtesy of Ryan Seaman, quickly setting the tone for the rest of your listening experience.
There’s no doubt that iDKHOW also kill the competition when it comes to their aesthetics. Storylines and dramatics are at the centre of the band’s universe, masterminded by Dallon himself. From ‘Nobody Likes The Opening Band’ to songs like ‘Clusterhug’, the lyricism and vocal talent from him is second to none. ‘Razzmatazz’ is a record that stands to criticise modernity in all of its pitfalls, along with a side order of glittering operatic rock.
We’d have been delighted with a ten-track record full of upbeat songs that we can groove to, but the deliberate pacing is another one of this record’s highlights. ‘Kiss Goodnight’ is a memorable moment, the speed slowing right down to give way to a love song glimmering with self doubt. On first listen it might not appear to be one of the album’s more memorable tracks, but by a second or third listen the chorus melody will be deeply rooted in your brain.
Don’t worry if slow numbers aren’t your vibe though, songs like ‘Lights Go Down’ and ‘Need You Here’ begin to pick up the pace again before the record’s closing title track ‘Razzmatazz’. Amid turbulent times, the track’s commentary of the world we’ve found ourselves in is sumptuously intertwined with notes of jazz and post modern rock. It’s easy to miss, but among the dramatics of this album there’s an incredible amount of heart and soul.
If you’re looking for a glorious, larger than life record to get you through the rest of the year, then iDKHOW have delivered. ‘Razzmatazz’ is full of unrivalled haunting funk, and it’s a sound that no one does better than Dallon Weekes and Ryan Seaman.
SOPHIE McCARTHY