During their two-year existence, Tokyo-based DJ trio 80kidz have shared stages with famed electronic acts Justice and Boys Noize, and have also remixed American underground rockers Black Kids, Brazilian dance punks CSS and J-pop star Ayumi Hamasaki. The unit's rapidly rising status was recently boosted with their addition to this summer's Fuji Rock Festival lineup.
Their full-length debut, "This is my Sh-t," features more of the tightly spun grooves showcased on last year's blogger-approved "Life Begins at Eighty" EP. The new disc's slicker production should increase the accessibility of infectious cuts such as "Flying Buttress" and the distorted warped beats of the title track to dance-club devotees at home and abroad. Like-minded bands AutoKratz (U.K.) and Hey Champ (U.S.) lend their respective vocals to the fantastic "She" and "Getting You Off," giving both songs cool loungy vibes. France's The Shoes' guest-crooning adds a solid pop element to the chorus of the funky, experimental "Frankie."
While there's plenty to enjoy on "This is my Sh-t," the haphazard "Fait la Danse," which sounds like a poor stab at mid-'90s techno, derails the album's momentum. Closing numbers "Disdrive (rework)" and "Arab. Hertz Club" follow and fare slightly better, but fail to recapture the earlier energy. This serves as a reminder that despite their quick success, 80kidz are a young act still honing their craft.
