Jamaica - Ventura (2014)

If you’ve been unable to sleep for wondering what sort of creature the genetic splicing of The Strokes and Phoenix might produce, here’s relief in the form of Parisian duo Jamaica. Sharing not only Phoenix’s home turf but their slick pop sensibilities, they also have the bite and huge choruses of Casablancas and co, distilling it all into a chunky and appealing second album. While the handclapping 'Two On Two' is purest 'Lisztomania' and 'High Then Low' has the snaky drive of '12:51', Jamaica find their own voice in the chiming 'Rushmore', the bright power-pop of 'Same Smile' and the warped tremble of 'Golden Times' (featuring TV On The Radio's Tunde Adebimpe). Slowly, their melodic smarts outweigh their influences.