Girls on Bikes by Opus Science Collective (Review)

It isn’t entirely accurate to call Brighton’s Opus Science Collective a band. They’re actually a music production company that does soundtrack work for video games, YouTube videos, films, TV series, and multimedia projects. As such, it’s tempting to view their extensive catalog as little more than a pitch for their services, especially when they release albums inspired by Ghostbusters and Sonic the Hedgehog.

But I’m OK with that because the music on Girls on Bikes is still pretty enjoyable. Recalling at various times vintage video games, anime, ’80s synth-pop, and R&B — sometimes all in the same song — the Collective’s work is solidly in the realm of future funk, emphasis on the funk.

Yes, there are nostalgic aspects galore in these five songs, as is the case with anything in the future funk/vaporwave realm. But Opus Science Collective ultimately relies on the tried and true for success: catchy melodies, crisp beats, and hooks galore. From the title track’s bouncing synth lines (complete with synthetic cowbell) to the Midnight meets Chromeo meets Donkey Kong vibe of “Boys Fall Easy” (my favorite track) to “The Ride Home“ ‘s “beach party at sunset” vibe, Girls on Bikes is 18 minutes of retro-futuristic pop perfection.