After the departure of core member/primary songwriter the Duke of Pannekoeken, who had duties to tend to at his day job at Harmonix (the game development company behind Guitar Hero and Rock Band), Liz Enthusiasm and Sean Drinkwater continued on with new bandmates Robert John “Bananas” Foster and Christmas Disco Marie Sagan. Here, in a more democratic setting, Imaginary Friends takes a live group approach, rather than basing songs around 8-bit sequencing. Of course, with three of the four members playing synthesizers, Freezepop still feels entirely electro-pop, and the music is still the same friendly, hook-filled, retro-dance music that is ideal for headphones. Christmas’ airy voice complements Enthusiasm’s well, as they deal out girlish Debbie Harry-esque disco vocals to Ladytron beats with a Gary Numan vibe. Air is a touchstone here as well, especially on the bouncy “Hot Air Balloons” and the lush and spacy closer “House of Mirrors.” Even though the band is in a transitional phase here, you wouldn’t know it. Freezepop sounds more sophisticated and polished than ever. – Jason Lymangrover