Also known as Alexander Beggins (otherwise known as half of Wild Child), CoCo Zandi opens with a blinding whiff of cheez before shifting into something much stranger. The sound starts with over-the-top Hawaiian inflections (including overdoses of ukulele), kicks out a solid buffet of 808 beats, throws in ultra-peppy 50s-style female backup vocals and then dives straight into poolside pop on meth.

CoCo Zandi As Simple As a Dream (self-released)

Irrepressibly jaunty--and overpoweringly weird--there are no comps for this. I could try (Coked-up High Llamas playing Pat Boone-ish versions of . . .) but as you can see, it just doesn't work. Beggins has an amazing ear for the outlandishly catchy, and he's created an entire album perfect for sipping margaritas by the sea.

The production is similarly strange. The disparate elements carry their different sounds through the songs. The ringing, soft-toned steel drums are simply planted on top of the 808s, and the harmonies have a heavily mono feel. I like that the sounds don't entirely mesh. Actually, I love that. It makes this album sound that much otherworldly.

I wouldn't have been surprised if this had been assembled on the International Space Station. The mismatched sounds and styles provide a level of space and depth that usually is lacking in pop music. Beggins has found an outlet for his (even) weirder side. Whenever he wants to take another break from Wild Child, I'll be listening.

Jon Worley