The first listen of TV Girl and George Clanton’s Fauxllenium goes something like this: the listener hovers their mouse over the play button and as the first note of Summer 2000 Baby plays, are immediately swept into an early 2000s summer movie through the use of funky pop sound and melody reminiscent of beach boardwalks and low-rise jeans. The carefree lyrics, “Summer 2000 baby / Let’s go completely crazy / Don’t be shy, just jump on in / And let the party begin” adds onto the setting of a summer as a young, reckless teenager.
A less well-known artist, George Clanton is an American singer-songwriter who emerged in the early 2010’s vaporwave scene. Clanton is most well known for his songs Warmpop, Livin’ Loose, I Been Young, and his tendency to utilize the feeling of nostalgia. Both self-proclaimed “bad boys of indie-electro pop,” TV Girl and Clanton connected in 2015 when Clanton had toured with the band, and a year ago had begun to work on a collaborative album.
Released earlier in August, the single preceding the album, which included Summer 2000 Baby and Take A Trip, did not hint at an album until TV Girl posted the vinyl months after and confirmed the existence of an upcoming album. Fauxllenium dropped on December 2, bringing a mini album of seven, funky and hypnotic pop songs. Unlike TV Girl’s past albums, Fauxllenium has a production sound that features the technical production and more muted, repetitive lyrics.
Everything Blue, the second track of the album, exudes a dreamy, video game-esque aura. The singers express their unhappiness in their current situation, wishing to be washed “back out to sea” and go back to where they belong, where “everything’s blue,” as TV Girl’s classic combination of synths and snare drum beats sound in the background, or rather, forefront. As the singing comes to a stop, the synths rise up in a melodic line that almost imitates the waves of the ocean the lyrics are about.
And as Everything Blue fades out, Fauxllenium brings a song reminiscent of TV Girl’s past album, French Exit. Fauxllenium comments on the ability to brush off life’s serious points and focus on something more short term and childish, as George Clanton sings, “Some people need someone to save / Some people need someone to blame / But I just need / Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah.”
The next track, Butterflies, featuring Jordana, an American indie and bedroom pop artist, presents a house music style with its upbeat tempo, 4/4 beat, strictly rhythmic ad-libs, and synthetic melody. Jordana, along with Shira Small (a folk artist) who sings the chorus, explores the feelings of attachment to a romantic partner and fear of hurting them, evident in the lyrics, “You said it wouldn’t hurt you if I left without a warning / Baby, baby, why would you lie to me? / Even the flying bird’s caged by the breeze.”
Take A Trip sounds similar to Taking What’s Not Yours. In contrast with the majority of the songs on Fauxllenium, the vocals are more uncovered and become as important as the instrumental. Overall, Take A Trip brings a sound that has now completely become TV Girl’s signature sound and groove.
As the album comes to a slow end, The Sweet Life definitely stands out among the other tracks on Fauxllenium. The song features a trumpet melody and a beautifully paired maracas that sets it apart from TV Girl’s regular music. The Sweet Life directly leads to the last song of the album: Yesterday’s World. The last track is a light hearted song with a noticeably faster tempo that feels dedicated to the listener’s own 2000s movie montage, tying the feeling back to the beginning of the album.
In the end, Fauxllenium is a very well produced album, with a few outstandingly memorable songs like Summer 2000 Baby, Take A Trip, and Fauxllenium. The album does present a unique blend of TV Girl’s and George Clanton’s music, resulting in a more heavy electronic sound and a hip hop influence. Fauxllenium is much faster and upbeat than TV Girl’s past albums, with a more European pop sound. However, the album does have some songs that immediately stick out along with songs that may need a few repeats to get them to stick. TV Girl’s voices are also curiously sparse during the entire album, with entire songs sung by Clanton.
Although the album does feel more geared toward George Clanton, the songs are colorful and provide an amazing listening experience. Fauxllenium is perfect for those who enjoy TV Girl’s faster, more electronic tracks and are eager to explore different music genres.
