"Scars" (Ultra/XL), the fifth album from British production duo Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton, again matches an array of guest vocalists with globe trotting electro beats. Emerging from the ‘90s U.K. rave scene and its futuristic take on Chicago house, the Jaxx began edging into pop district by showcasing distinctive vocalists on their 2002 landmark “Kish Kash.” Tying together hip hop, indie rock and all points in between, “Scars” continues in that vein. The duo gets the most out of some sassy newcomers (Yo Majesty, Santigold), and throws a bass rattling update of her classic “Walking on Thin Ice” at Yoko Ono, who warbles like only Ono can in a mesmerizing performance. But when the duo veers off the dancefloor and into more nuanced, low key district on tracks fronted by Lightspeed Champion, Amp Fiddler, Jose Hendrix, Jose James and the BellRays’ Lisa Kekaula, the lack of rhythmic punch derails the album. Perhaps Ratcliffe and Buxton are striving to prove they can do more than just throw a great party, but their songwriting is more persuasive when the beats are booming.
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