Day in a Yellow Beat

The perplexing, often fun, and certainly lengthy from British oddball is both an ambitious leap of faith and a journey of playful self-indulgence. Known professionally as , the 21-year-old singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist certainly isn't lacking in confidence, offering up as his sophomore release (and major-label debut) a hefty double-album's worth of wonky faux-soul, indie synth-funk, and sampledelic bedroom pop, all deeply rooted in the 1960s and '70s. Much like did for that era's soft rock, sets his D.I.Y. sights on an amalgam of vintage R&B, jazz, funk, and soul, which he ties together in groovy, warped tracks that range from long multi-part jams to brief skits sampling a mix of ironically "square" PSA-type characters and legitimate heroes like . Forgoing the creature comforts of his home studio/shed, headed to sunny Los Angeles where he teamed up with an eclectic cast of collaborators including , New York rapper , and veteran Detroit soul singer of fame. Beneath its busy beats and feel-good funk cheer teems a roiling undercurrent of angst and existential anxiety adding to the record's slightly off-kilter feel. Even on standouts like "Keep Yourself Alive" and "Let's Be Good to Each Other," it's hard to tell if is joking, paying homage, or expressing himself with supreme earnestness. Likely it's a bit all three, which can make absorbing his music a bit tricky. Still, that's part of ' enigma and whatever his angle, he's got talent to spare. At 23 tracks, there's a little something for everyone and despite its length, is not without its rewards. ~ Timothy Monger