Bad Rabbits’ new album, Mimi (InGrooves), huh? Not my usual review fare, I will admit, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t work for me. After several weeks of hardcore, doom, death metal, and Gundam themed albums, Bad Rabbits house blend of funk, synth pop, rock, and R&B may be the palate cleanser I didn’t know I needed.

I mean, I saw the title Bad Rabbits and immediately thought of the derivative radio rock trash of bands like Sick Puppies. Yes, I’m that ignorant to read an act’s name involving an animal and be completely ready to throw the band under the bus. But fret not, Mimi is completely devoid of stale power chords and any other traces of “alternative metal.” On Mimi, anything hard or extreme is kept to a minimum and we’re exposed to sounds not unlike we’d find in records from Cameo, Morris Day and the Time or Bruno Mars.

‘Eyes on You’ plays like an R&B hit from that would’ve killed in the late 80s or early 90s, all channeled through a modern polished production. If a more contemporary composition is more up to your speed, ‘Eyes on You’ is followed by ‘Dollars and Change’ which embraces the experimental pop that Bruno Mars has made so mainstream for the last few years. It should also be noted for giving more room to underutilized guitar tone of Salim Akram and for its motherfucker of a chorus that will stick in your head for days guaranteed.

Though if I had to choose, my two favorite cuts on Mimi are ‘The After Party’ and ‘F on the J-O-B.’ ‘The After Party’ leaves no room for subtlety as its slow grooves and slithering bass lines were designed for dimly lit nightclub dancefloors after a few cocktails have been enjoyed. Children will likely be made to that song. ‘F on the J-O-B’ on the other hand isn’t sexy, but more focused on the perils of office romance before veering hard into the dangers of sexual harassment. Yet somehow the bouncy beat and pulsing synths keep this Lonely Island-esque narrative pleasant to the ear.

See kids, its ok to try new things. Except if its alternative metal. You don’t want that.

8.0/10

HANS LOPEZ