“I’m addicted to the pop song formula.”

No Lala began in 2014 as second outlet for prolific songwriter Casey Burge, known in the city of Portland, Oregon for his work with his six-piece pop group Minden . Envisioned as a more stripped-down combo, he brought over Minden harmony/backing vocalist Lia Gist and percussionist Papi Fimbres (this time on the main kit) and added bassist Seth Mankoski and classically-trained pianist Sam Adams.

With Burge’s groove-and-hook hallmarks in tow, the songs are built around the ultra-tight rhythm section; the heady, almost filmic keyboard work and sparse guitar flourishes add potency to the suggestive vocals and seductive drum-and-bass service.

The group recorded four songs locally with Jeff Bond at Secret Society in late 2014, which will be released in August as a split cassette with Boone Howard (former frontman of PDX favorites The We Shared Milk).