B-Side Guys

Welcome aboard AJ Airlines, where Los Angeles siblings Liza and Weston Cain have created a nu-disco flight path between past and future. “Taking Off” transforms aerial metaphors into dance floor liberation, creating something that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking through its careful fusion of classic funk and contemporary production.

The track showcases Liza Alexandra Cain’s silky vocals while demonstrating the duo’s growth through their time at Santa Monica’s LAAMP music intensive. Her delivery of lines like “Fly against the wind, like maverick” carries both confidence and playfulness, supported by production that honors influences from Earth, Wind & Fire to Dua Lipa without becoming derivative.

Co-written with David Blackwood and Zachary S. Cohan, the song’s structure builds like a plane gaining altitude. Each section adds new sonic elements while maintaining the essential groove, creating a listening experience that matches its lyrical theme of ascending above limitations.

The production demonstrates remarkable attention to detail in its blend of retro and contemporary elements. Weston’s instrumental prowess – developed since he first picked up drums at age four – provides solid foundation for modern electronic flourishes, creating a sound that bridges decades while remaining distinctly current.

Particularly effective is the bridge’s “captain speaking” moment, which could easily become gimmicky but instead serves as perfect release point for the track’s building energy. This attention to both classic disco tropes and modern dance production showcases the duo’s ability to honor influences while creating something fresh.

The song’s message of artistic freedom and self-trust gains credibility through its ambitious arrangement. When they sing about “10,000 feet up in the clouds,” the production supports this elevation through careful layering of instruments and effects, creating a sense of both height and momentum.

Their experience performing at venues like The Hotel Cafe and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang clearly influences the track’s attention to dance floor dynamics. Each section feels calibrated for maximum impact while maintaining the sophistication that marks their evolution from earlier releases like “Demons” and “Strung Out.”

As preview of their continuing artistic development, “Taking Off” suggests Alexandra John has found the perfect balance between homage and innovation. By bringing together elements of funk, nu-disco, and dance pop, they’ve created something that works both as celebration of musical history and announcement of new possibilities.

The track stands as evidence of why this California-based duo merits attention in 2025’s pop landscape. Through careful attention to both classic groove and contemporary production, Alexandra John has created something that simultaneously celebrates where dance music has been and suggests where it might be heading.