Painted Palms
Horizons
POLYVINYL
5/10
Appropriation is nothing new under the creative sun (just ask Sam Smith or Robin Thicke), but the fact that Painted Palms wear their influences on their sleeve in such obvious fashion on their sophomore album is a little disappointing. Dropping the needle on Horizons opener “Refractor” immediately brings to mind Depeche Mode; a few tracks in and it’s crystal clear that the verse melody from The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” heavily influences the chorus in the song “Glaciers.” But even with all of these high-profile influences heard on Horizons, there’s one that’s strangely absent: Painted Palms’ thoughtful, guitar-driven sonic stamp. Sure, sexy electro-pop has been a force to reckon with ever since The Human League unleashed its biggest hit in 1981, and while Horizons can be a lot of fun thanks to its myriad influences, Painted Palms seem to be spreading their sound and fan base thin with this drastic sonic shift.
