The Whitest Boy Alive - Rules

(Bubbles) CD, LP coming
The Whitest Boy Alive is the peppy side project of Erlend Øye, most notable for his whispy, Simon & Garfunkel-esque strums in Kings Of Convenience. WBA is Øye in fun mode, channelling the smooth pop of groups like Phoenix & Junior Boys, while employing house music structures (the influence of which no doubt stems from Øye’s collaborations with many club-ready producer). Rules is far from challenging stuff — it’s hard to not bop your head along with much that’s here — but there’s a beauty in Øye’s smooth meshing of rhythm & subtle, supple melody.