When duo Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant started as Psapp, they were firmly on the Francophile side of things with 2004’s debut full-length Tiger My Friend, but 2006’s sophomore LP on Domino Records, The Only Thing I Ever Wanted, introduced a brighter indietronica to their work.  That welcome evolution continues apace with The Camel’s Back, which successfully marries pleasing beats and bossanova sounds.

While the title of opening track “I Want That” seems to be too close a continuation of The Only Thing I Ever Wanted, the funky jazz number has a New Orleans spice.  From there, Clasmann & Durant deliver some indietronica-pop pieces on the first side of Camel’s, such as “Part Like Waves”, “Fickle Ghost”, and “The Monster Song”, which make you smile, but are a touch forgettable.  However, they get the size – and much else – just right on the back half of the record with the one-two of “Fix It” and “Mister Ant”.  Their catch & beat are similarly fitting, and the two songs are just different enough: “Fix” a little more little, “Mister” a bit more of a party time.

“I Want That” isn’t the only departure from this sunny side for Psapp, either.  Unsurprisingly, there are two instrumentals, the keys-sweet “Marshrat” and lower-tech “Homicide”.  There is also some sadder fare, such as the vox + beats title track and the piano-croon “Screws”.  And Camel’s ends on a calypso dance-sway, with a neat, slightly ominous backbeat, in “Parker”.

For such an uncomplicated sounding record, Psapp utilize a number of different sounds, from charming female vocals to oddly catchy ‘steam-tech’ effects.  Sometimes the balance isn’t quite right, either too simple & nice, or too much lain upon, but the combination of indietronica and Francophilia sounds sweet.

MP3 Stream: "Mister Ant"