Javelin’s sound has in fact undergone distilled changes, but the result is still a fun album that once again brings up the question of what could be next for the duo.
For any of its faults, Hi Beams is a fearless record from a fearless duo and it can only get better from here.
It's largely a successful experiment, with sumptuous keyboard melodies and live drum breaks replacing the heaped samples of old, while still packing enough Prince-like booty-shaking hooks to make even The Purple One go all green-eyed.
It’s an enjoyable and straightforward listen even if its overall impact is small
As evidenced by their remixes, the instrumental tracks here, and some of the pithier vocals, Javelin are high-caliber producers; their lyrics and melodies just haven’t matched that intensity.
Hi Beams is an album that delights and baffles in almost equal measures.
Javelin's sense of ambition is certainly commendable, and despite its shortcomings, 'Hi Beams' still provides some examples of dizzyingly odd pop.
It's obvious that Hi Beams was meant to be a candy-colored experience, but instead of inducing a sugar rush, it results in little more than a fitful stomach ache.