The Juice: Vol. II

The mysterious, pseudonymous duo of Emo and V made a strong first impression with *The Juice, Vol. I*, an ultramodern R&B set with hints of smoothed-out funk and throwback cool. Equally as polished, the second volume arrives just six months later with all the sophisticated fun of its predecessor. Informed by, but not beholden to, hip-hop and pop, Emotional Oranges exhibit a studio-honed command of their haute hybrid here, crystal clear over the subtle bounce of “West Coast Love” or amid the contoured grooves of “Just Like You.” An unapologetically ’80s gloss drips from these eight tracks, the candy-coated synth work of “Heal My Desires” coyly juxtaposed with resonant lyricism.