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Jul 21, 2015 Web Exclusive By Natasha Aftandilians

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that Greg Kurstin, one half of The Bird and the Bee, has been blessed with the Midas touch for pop music; every singer the producer/songwriter comes in contact with (see: Sia, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, Lily Allen, Tegan and Sara—the list is an embarrassment of riches) gets to witness his ability to craft hits for musicians across the spectrum. But of all his collaborators, it’s his Bird and the Bee companion Inara George who brings out the best of his talents. With a voice like a Disney princess, George shares Kurstin’s affinity for plundering pop nostalgia from greats like Hall & Oates and Bee Gees, and together they’ve built a charming world that invites listeners in to luxuriate in effortless grooves and playful abandon.

Recreational Love, the band’s first album of original material since 2009, is a testament to the refreshing power of pop music with more adult sensibilities, appealing to discerning listeners who find mainstream radio too grating or lyrically shallow. Running the gamut from giddy anthems (“Will You Dance?”) to kid-approved lullaby coos (“Lovey Dovey”), Kurstin and George combine the muted sophistication of jazz with the undeniable people-pleasing qualities of synth-pop into one spritely package. After a decade together, the symbiotic relationship between these two continues to pay off, and Recreational Love is their slickest release yet. (www.thebirdandthebee.com)

Author rating: 7.5/10