Röyksopp

Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland, collectively known as Röyksopp, are clearly rooted in the ’00s. Since forming in 1998, releasing their first recording in 2000 and their first full-length in 2001, the Norwegian duo has been a vanguard for hip, trippy dance music. Junior, their first album in two years, is typically 21st century, yet with a flashback undercurrent—think New Order’s “Blue Monday” pulsing through Kylie Minogue’s “Slow.” The result feels fresh and familiar at the same time, particularly on tracks like “The Girl and the Robot” (with vocals from Robyn, the Swedish singer enjoying her own resurgence) and “Miss It So Much” (featuring Lykke Li). Leadoff song/single “Happy Up Here” is bouncier, though still a good fit with the others. The set is great for a drive along our local highways, where green scenery with upbeat rhythms make for a pleasant sensory experience. At a mellow house party, it probably would work as well. Junior is a cool collection, and whether you’re a fan of Röyksopp or techno-pop in general, you’re bound to like what you hear.