Freaky Styley is the second studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on August 16, 1985, through EMI America Records.

Freaky Styley marks founding guitarist Hillel Slovak's studio album debut, following his return to the band earlier in the year.

Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed in 1982 in Los Angeles by Fairfax High School alumni, vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, bassist Flea, and drummer Jack Irons.

Kiedis and Flea subsequently recruited guitarist Jack Sherman and drummer Cliff Martinez to complete the band's lineup for its self-titled debut album.

Because the Peppers did not have a positive experience working with Andy Gill on their previous record, they began searching for a new producer for their next album.

[11] The band was excited to live with Clinton, but as soon as Kiedis moved in, he began experiencing severe heroin withdrawal, and became very ill.

[12] The Red Hot Chili Peppers felt a strong chemistry with Clinton and enjoyed his quirky personality and storytelling abilities.

[16] According to Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic, Freaky Styley is "the closest the Red Hot Chili Peppers ever came to straight funk.

"Jungle Man" contains psychedelic rock-styled guitar, layered background vocals, and an "urgent, aggressive dance beat".

[18] "Catholic School Girls Rule" draws influence from punk rock music, while "Blackeyed Blonde" has been described as "Aerosmith meets Isaac Hayes".

[20] "Jungle Man" was dedicated to Flea, whom Kiedis used to create a fictionalized persona of "this half-man, half-beast born in the belly of the volcano in Australia coming to the world and using his thumb as the conductor of thunder on the bass.

"[10] The lyrics of the band's cover of "Africa" by The Meters differ slightly from the original, intended to reflect the group's hometown of Hollywood.

"[2] Ira Robbins of Rolling Stone called the album "wilder, rougher, funnier and funkier" than The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and opined that "the Chili Peppers are taking advantage of the current crossover free-for-all to universalize funk by expanding its limits and incorporating new ingredients without diluting the basic bump.

[citation needed] To the band's amazement[dubious – discuss], founding drummer Jack Irons decided to return and for the first time since 1983 the original lineup was together.