Opening with vocalist Sarah Reynolds’ looped mantra of “Come Together!,” Ear Pwr’s electro-spazz debut posits itself as a self-assured party starter. The problem though is how desperately it begs, and pleads, and scratches to be recognized as such. Affiliated both geographically and sonically with Dan Deacon’s 8-bit Baltimore renaissance, Ear Pwr is yet another duo making cartoon freakout for the neon shades scene. Please note album title Super Animal Brothers III for reference.

While an occasional synth-hook or semi-memorable vocal yelp surfaces, the record operates under the assumption that we should overlook its dated post-rave breakbeats and just wig out to its skittering techno like frogs on firecrackers. Though when the non-stop lyrics consist of statements as thimble-deep as “Spark-sparkly sweater!” it’s difficult to not feel like you’re taking a violent raygun blast to precious brain cells.

Yes, let’s stop taking ourselves too seriously, cut loose, jump on top of each other and revel in the sweat-soaked bacchanals that this new breed of hyperactive electro is capable of creating. Got it. The inherent issue with this sound — and with everything that Ear Pwr embodies — is that our ears and our bodies need a break. Instant peaks can be invigorating, but when made relentless end up with a mind-numbing effect, ultimately shaving those peaks down to sorry stumps. Super Animal Brothers III sounds exactly as expected: a dorm room drum machine experiment attempting to capture the zeitgeist of Generation Ritalin, permanently jacked to eleven with no real idea as to why.

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