Douglas Armour
The Light of a Golden Day, The Arms of the Night
Social Registry

Douglas Armour’s impressive take on pop comes sunny side-up, with songs ranging from electro-pop with a R&B infusion to straight-forward ballads. Every excursion is catchy to infectious, often with a lead synthesizer and drum machine leading the way. (It sounds like the Maroon 5 guys hanging out with James Murphy.) I suspect Armour watched a lot of golden-era MTV, where Berlin, the Human League and Missing Persons played harmoniously next to Al. B Sure, Jermaine Stewart and Terrence Trent D’arby. The production on the album is crisp, potent and totally radio-friendly. I’m definitely hooked—he’s successfully passed the 5 PM hike to Griffith Observatory test, the 9 PM three glasses of wine test and even the 6:30 AM trying to wake up to get to work and pounding coffee test. Stand out tracks are “The Whole World” and “Fall Apart,” and one of those songs will most likely be the soundtrack hit for the next Juno. I’d even go as far to say this is just plain ole exciting adult contemporary. Pleasant, fun, fresh and in permanent rotation.

— Jennifer Brandon