Signed to DreamWorks in 1997 by Mike Simpson of the Dust Brothers, Los Angeles electroclash band A.i. had a surprisingly early start: singer/guitarist Nick Young, 26, started the band with his brother Zack (their drummer), when they were were just out of grade school.

Even at a young age, they had music coursing through their veins: Nick and Zack's great-uncle Joe Young was one of the founders of ASCAP and a well-known Tin Pan Alley songwriter, and keyboardist/synth bassist Pablo Manzarek is the son of Doors guitarist Ray.

The band's latest album, Sex & Robots, was self-released last year and -- while it may lead you astray on Google -- is packed with eleven sizzling jams, sounding exactly like what you'd expect from a title like that! MTV elaborates:

Nick's soaring, helium shaman vocals are reminiscent of both Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell and Prince, while the beat-heavy songs incorporate elements of jungle, soul, dub, Rage Against the Machine-like rock and sexy funk.

And sometimes the best description is a simple REC:

plopes Rec'd this on Jul 31, 2008:

Street Cred: 82 Rec's: 8

  Listen to Airline 2 Happiness by A.i.

Track: Airline 2 Happiness ( $0.44 )

Album: Sex & Robots

Artist: A.i.

“its like Prince crashed into Daft Punk and out came Ai. AWESOME!”

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