Junk Culture, the highly infectious sample-heavy project of Deepak Mantena, has teamed with Jana Hunter of Lower Dens and Sarah Barthel of Phantogram to create a cheery, synthy digital 7″, available for free download on Illegal Art. On side A, “Hang Roxy”, Hunter and Mantena take on the roles of a couple who can't stay together (it begins abruptly with them singing “'I'm out of love to give,' we said said together on that evening”). Although the concept sounds like a complete bummer, the duet is surprisingly (maybe even unnervingly) cheerful, progressing brashly through bass-heavy rhythms and bright, energetic synths. Side B, “Chippewa Kids”, is more reserved, showcasing Barthel's ethereal vocals against a backdrop of intricate layers of compact loops.
