Big Scary's second album contrarily asserts itself as art by its very title, Not Art. Where the duo's debut, Vacation, was of the navel-gazing variety, Not Art uses a hip-hop approach to production. Ironically, “Why Hip-Hop Sucks in '13” is a piano-led number, which highlights Joanna Syme's vocals, but the syncopated beats of “Luck Now” refocus on the hip-hop aspect. “Invest” handily brings hip-hop sensibilities to Big Scary's moody pop. The best bits are in classic Big Scary style: the Jeff Buckley – informed “Lay Me Down,” which works like a potent downer, while the Verve-informed “Belgian Blues” does the opposite. The irreverent Say Hi also performs, introducing songs from his not-yet-released album, Endless Wonder.

Thu., May 15, 8:30 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 05/15/14)

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