James Pants

Welcome

Stones Throw Records

Ratings: 3.5/4

I need a pair of roller skates because James is blessing us with his fohnnnnnk! Ever since I bought the single “Ka$h,” he’s been added to my props list. His style of music makes me think of the cartoon “Whatever Happened to Robot Jones?”.  For those unfamiliar with Pants, you can expect a mix of electro, post-punk, hip-hop breaks, funk synths and low volume vocals throughout this album which features 16 tracks of cosmic beats. The production style stays on the Stones Throw, à la bedroom production; that won’t disappoint.  Each tune gives you a taste of nostalgia while moving future forward. If one were to ask how to describe the album Welcome, I would say birthday parties, roller rinks, ice cream trucks, outdoor barbecues and smoking a spliff in the park in 1986.  Most of the tracks run from two to three minutes, so your attention span will never go into la-la land but…you’ll find yourself there anyway! Trust— it’s a good thing!  Tracks I most enjoyed were “My Tree,” “Theme from Paris,” “Good Things,” “Ka$H” and “Crystal Lite”—the last two featuring the soulful vocals of Deon Davis.  Welcome is as delicious as an order of Wing Stop fries. Seasoned heavily and sticks to you.