AlunaGeorge Return With Hook-Driven ‘I Remember’

Matt Matasci

The partnership of Aluna Francis and George Reid, also known as AlunaGeorge, struck gold with their debut, “Body Music,” an album that performed well commercially and critically. After three years the duo is back with “I Remember,” a solid sophomore effort that swings big, aiming for mainstream dance success. While it has several fine moments, overall it lacks the cohesion to qualify it as an excellent record.

“Full Swing” opens with a snapping beat and Francis dropping a killer verse before shifting into a brilliant pop verse, but a guest verse from Pell deflates the moment, the kind of cameo that, while solid, would be better fit for a mid-album inclusion, but the song returns its focus to the pop foundations of the first verse and chorus. The album continues on a strong note with “My Blood.” A collaboration with up-and-coming Southern California producer and musician Zhu, the song’s skewed Southern-style vocal effects and bouncing trap rhythms steals the show over the final minute of the song.

“Hold Your Head High” is the first of two collaborations with Jamaican dancehall star, Popcaan, who also gets production credits on this number, and the results are unsurprising. Throughout the song, Francis channels Rihanna while sing-rapping over a strong island rhythm and transitioning to a more typical mainstream dance breakdown. The second appearance by the singer on the mid-album track and first single, “I’m In Control,” is more rewarding. It opens with a breezy melody, calypso-influenced beat and blaring synths before transitioning to a stripped down verse echoing Francis’s voice across the mix. With a Popcaan verse dropped into the middle of the song, it’s one of the best tracks on the album.

Burying the title track and best song eight songs deep into the album is a smart choice. The preceding tracks are strong enough to hold the listener’s attention before “I Remember” demonstrates the pop mastery AlunaGeorge is capable of. Produced by Flume, the song deftly transitions from an opening of chopped vocal samples to a transition of 8-bit synth buzzing, complementing Francis belting out some of infectious vocal hooks.

“Mediator” finds AlunaGeorge revisiting the neo-soul they also touch with “Not Above Love.” These are tepid imitations of true soul, injecting an inauthentic electronic vibe into the production and both songs falter by forcing Francis into a vocal style that she’s unsuited for. But the album closes out in graceful style with a pair of electro-pop tracks, “Heartbreak Horizon” and “Wanderlust,” which ably capitalize on the players’ strengths.

“I Remember” is a solid album. It avoids the “sophomore slump” even though it lacks the direction that would lead it to being a great album. There are several incredible tracks scattered throughout and they largely overwhelm the less interesting efforts.

“I Remember” is available on Apple Music Sept. 16.