Jamie Jones Don't You Remember the Future

• Words: Shawn Reynaldo
• Label: Crosstown Rebels
• XLR8R Rating: 8/10

Even as the '80s revival has dubiously morphed from a passing fad into what seems like permanent status, every once in a while an artist proves that the neon decade still has some ore worth mining. Don't You Remember the Future is the debut album from U.K. retro-futurist Jamie Jones, and although it portends to be a concept album set in 2116, the music sounds a lot more like 1986, from the Prince-biting proto-rave of "Summertime" to the jackin' diva-disco of "Half Human." The Alison Mars-voiced "Absolute Zero" is a bit of a creative detour into sultry mid-'90s electronic pop—think Olive or Lamb—but then The Egyptian Lover shows up on "Galactic Space Bar" to add some electro-funk legitimacy to the proceedings. Yet Don't You Remember the Future is no exercise in nostalgic hackery—Jones' production sounds fresh, and taking musical cues from Cybotron is certainly no crime.

Listen: "Soak"

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Watch: "Galactic Space Bar feat. Egyptian Lover"