As a young, LA-based purveyor of kitschy funk and soul, Mayer Hawthorne treads a fine line between parody and sincerity. Out-and-out comedy acts such as Flight of the Conchords have plundered a similar tranche of 70s styles in order to cast themselves as hilariously grotesque singer-seducers; but when Hawthorne samples orgasmic moaning, it serves more as a knowing wink than an actual joke. For the most part, he remains in relatively banal lyrical territory on this fourth album, but what he’s able to do with some aplomb is capture the majestic effortlessness of the Motown sound – and nailing the style alone (on the likes of Cosmic Love and Get You Back) means he is able to draw on its huge appeal. He also makes inroads into other genres from the era, from ersatz reggae (Fancy Clothes), to Band on the Run-style rock (The Valley) – all of it accomplished, but not exactly the genuine article.
