Miniature Tigers hit the scene in 2008 with the highly infectious Tell it to the Volcano, which captured Beach Boys harmony and hipster basslines to make catchy pop songs. They’re back to do it again with Mia Pharaoh after taking a break for the somewhat dreamy psych album Fortress. “Sex on the Regular” establishes their intent right away: they plan to make you move the way you used to. The return comes with a more processed drumloops and digitizing. It seems only right, in a way. The previous record veered into Beach House territory, and now they’re exploring a Sleigh Bells vibe. All the while, though, the guys do keep their own voice and stamp on their muic.
And the Tigers are still having fun. “Cleopatra” sounds like a ghetto-blaster appeared in the studio and they just worked around it. “Ugly Needs” sounds loose enough to be a Beach Boys jam, and the finale, “Husbands and Wives, is a vocal experiment accompanied only with sparse piano and drums. Much like Tell it to the Volcano, the songs talk about relationships with and admiration for seemingly untouchable women. In all, the Miniature Tigers are a fun band with another fun album. The album is in stores and online now.