First Rate People

In the mid-20th century, linearity became a thing of the past. Literal structure gave way to an implied surface order, with meaning constructed from the pieces rather than the whole.  Toronto-based seven-piece First Rate People see this implied order as a formula for their music. The group's songs sway between bubblegum beach pop, soulful R&B grooves and a 'lil hillbilly folk-tronica. In a way, they typify postmodern music, each song on their debut EP, It's Never Not Happening, creating its own musical swirl, relating to the whole only by minimal threads. Influences spread from recent bands like Beck, Air France and Passion Pit to classic names like Nina Simone, The Smiths and Serge Gainsbourg. Genres are something the band likes to hopscotch around, constantly reshaping themselves relative to the moment and the mood. 

This sounds much more complex than their music actually is: In truth, First Rate People's songs sound almost effortless, making life seem so easy, young and blissful. Opening track, "Orion," gazes into the sky and catches a few falling stars in the form of an early ’90s hip-hop groove with smooth vocals to complement the atmospheric spaciousness of the beat. In "Dress so Fine," Jess Kropf sings, over a slow rural-electro beat, from a poor mother's point of view, jealous of the fashion and lifestyle of the other girls in town. The ballad "It's Never Not Happening (Pt. 1)" finds Jon Lawless singing about the loss of youth. Maybe these youngsters know more about aging than we think, but their youth remains apparent in their playfulness. Both "Girl's Night" and "Charlie Kauffman" proclaim lack of responsibility with groovy hooks that make even cold dark nights feel like summer is forever. 

First Rate People could easily end up in an Apple iPod commercial any day now. They have vibrant color, style and soul. But, until the moment they reach the metaphorical stars, we'll stick to lying on a blanket under the sky on a sandy beach, listening to the simple meaningful fuzz of this beautiful pop music. —Jedidiah Gant