“Hyperdrama,” is a flailing tango of innovation and familiarity. The French duo’s fourth studio album offers a signature blend of audacious experimentation and polished craftsmanship, yielding a dizzying oscillation between satisfying and formulaic. As towering genre smiths of French electronica, they struggle to maintain their trailblazing reputation, looking to nail themselves onto the Justice cross.

In this neon-lit labyrinthine exploration, glitchy techno beats intermingle with infectious pop hooks. At times, the album feels like a nostalgic reverie, evoking the heady days of early 2010s dance culture, while at others, it ventures into uncharted territories of sonic exploration. It doesn’t dazzle, it’s evident that they’re taking this sawtooth, punk approach to dance music to the grave, or until their leather jackets finally tear. It’s a well worn ethos, at this point.

The opening salvo, “Neverender,” thrusts us headfirst into a world of slick, ostentatious electronica reminiscent of the pair’s earlier exuberance. It’s a nostalgic nod to an era defined by escapism and youthful abandon, yet Kevin Parker‘s vocals, while serviceable, falter in their attempt to elevate the track beyond mere pastiche. Here, Justice showcases their collaborative prowess, but cracks in the facade emerge.

However, it’s “Afterimage” that emerges as the album’s crowning achievement, a shimmering homage to ‘80s synthwave infused with pop sensibilities. Here, Justice finds their stride, delivering a poignant and infectious anthem that evokes images of sun-drenched coastal highways and endless summer nights. It’s a testament to their ability to craft transcendental, almost religious moments of Dionysian collective euphoria, all while firmly avoiding the club circuit.

Yet, amidst this glimpse of brilliance, there are instances where the seams begin to show. Tracks like “Dear Alan” teeter on the edge of self-indulgence, their intricate arrangements overshadowed by a sense of smug complacency. It feels safe and appointed, an underwhelming buildup that is trying oh so hard to pull off nonchalance, leaning precariously into it and dulling their edge.

Justice makes up for this with their earnest cinematic finesse on “Incognito ” and “Muscle Memory,” elevating the album to the realm of techy stadium electronica. Their ability to orchestrate electrifying scores are on full display here, offering a glimpse of their true cinematic potential.

As the album unfolds, we’re treated to a sonic landscape that shifts and morphs with each passing track. The bitcrushed, gritty production stomps around like a harbinger of apocalyptic dread, a relentless onslaught of industrial techno-trance that channels the spirit of Gesaffelstein with its glitchy IDM undertones. “Hyperdrama’s” modernist sensibilities clash with the album’s meandering trajectory, yet its refined and progressive nature hints at Justice’s willingness to push boundaries, even if the path is fraught with uncertainty.

For all its ambition, it struggles to maintain its momentum, with interludes like “Harpy Dream” disrupting the album’s flow, and lackluster features failing to leave a lasting impression. In the end, “Hyperdrama” stands as a testament to Justice’s enduring creativity and ambition, yet it falls short of reaching the dizzying heights of their past triumphs. Beneath its pristine facade lies a flaccid spirit, a battle between the eccentric and the near-retiree. And while the album may lack the tension that once made Justice’s music feel so robust, it’s a valiant effort nonetheless—a sonic escapade that’s equal parts exhilarating and frustrating.

order Hyperdrama by Justice HERE