Based on their debut EP, Oblangle Fizz Y’all, it would be both reactionary and woefully inaccurate to label Reptar a novelty act. An electropop phenomenon from Athens, Georgia- think Animal Collective meets MGMT with a dash of These New Puritans and the goofy, manic intensity of late 80s Beastie Boys- Reptar is primed to explode. The Internet buzz has been steadily deafening as mythical tales of their exhilarating live show begin to surface within message forums and comment threads across the web. Currently booked for both Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, they will also be touring with Foster the People and Cults later this year thus creating a veritable perfect storm of media exposure.As for Reptar’s music itself- what initially seems like an abrasive pastiche of sonic homages focuses into a precise, tasteful mosaic of sound independently their own. And after indulging in a second or third spin, Reptar’s unabashed enthusiasm becomes contagious. Any familiarity with these tunes only fuels the listener’s anticipation. The music world didn’t necessarily need more self-awareness (and make no mistake, Reptar revel within cheeky irony- after all, their band is named after a cartoon within a cartoon)- but songs such as track opener “Blast Off” and “Rainbounce” make evident Reptar’s impressive ability to juggle both trippy experimentalism and Saturday night accessibility. The real gem of the EP though is “Stuck in My Id”, an uplifting crowd-pleaser that would seem right at home over the end credits from a late 80s blockbuster- think Three Men and a Baby or Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. It's a little hard to deny the exciting vibes Reptar is dishing out here. Oblangle Fizz Y’all is an adventurous first step for a band too good to not make a substantial leap in the near future.
- Fr. Jones
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