Air‘s Love 2 sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a Mad Men episode if it was filmed in space, and the actors’ were French. 
Love 2 is heavier than Air’s other albums because the band used live instruments while recording the album.
It wouldn’t be an Air album if there weren’t a few strikingly beautiful ambient songs, some 60s spy tracks, and lounge music.
The ambient masterpiece of the album is “Heaven’s Light.” The other atmospheric tunes include “Tropical Disease,” “You Can Tell It To Everybody” and “African Velvet.”
“Heaven’s Light” contains sounds of the cool peace one finds in the middle of a lush forest at nightfall. “Tropical Disease” conjures thoughts of a summer boat ride. Odd flute-like sounds are played over wavy piano chords and a subtle drum beat. “You Can Tell It To Everybody” has a light reggae feel and “African Velvet” has a jazz rhythm with a few sax solos.
The spy-esque and film noir inspired tunes include “So Light Is Her Footfall, “Be A Bee,” and “Eat My Beat.”
“So Light Is Her Footfall,” incorporates “wah” guitars that whine and lean along to tell a story out of a 60s thriller (perhaps Charade, since the Air guys are French and all).
“Be A Bee” plays like a driving song, with interspersed Go! Team-like chants, beach-pop rhythms, urgent sirens, and robotic clicks. “Eat My Beat” has a psych-rock feel.
The few songs on the album that sound like Air, but don’t at the same time are “Love,” “Missing The Light Of Day,” “Sing Sang Sung,” “Night Hunter” and “Do The Joy.”
“Love” is filled with random chirps and animal noises that drop in and out over a blanket of soft music and light bells. “Missing The Light Of The Day” sounds like a slower, lighter Hot Chip track with 80s synths. “Sing Sang Sung” reminds me of other Air songs I love/hate, such as “Sexy Boy,” and “Cherry Blossom Girl.” The track plays like a delicate, disco summer jam.
“Night Hunter,” has a quirky clap beat that has electronic noises akin to those that would be played at a cantina in a Star War’s film. “Do The Joy,” contains gauzy vocals mixed with rough robotic voices, and a grinding psychedelic rock guitar that fades in and out of the song.
The band recently announced that Love 2 is now available in a limited edition box set. If interested, pre-order it now.
Tracklisting:
01. Love
02. So Light Is Her Footfall
03. Be A Bee
04. Missing The Light Of The Day
05. Tropical Disease
06. Heaven’s Light
07. Night Hunter
08. Sing Sang Sung
09. Eat My Beat
10. You Can Tell It To Everybody
11. African Velvet
