quick audio picks: 1234
The second release to sport DFA's new Death From Abroad spin-off label. Altz, who hails from Osaka, Japan, has previously released singles and a full length on Bear Funk. He provides a fresh sound on the lead-off "Max Motion(1)" incorporating crisp breakbeats...
expand review to the disco-funk sound. The real show comes in the multitude of breakdowns he incorporates into the track. It has an awesome stop-go effect, perfect for getting the crowd into. It's like a Scruff track got but through a DFA blender. For the follow-up, Altz heads into the cosmic territory with "Yello(2)." Moving further into space, the Idjut Boys deliver the Hoe Down mix(3) of "Yello" on the flip (yes, it incorporates a country-rock sound, the next frontier?), plus the requisite Idjut dub version. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Who'd have thought the new DFA supergroup featuring the likes of Delia Gonzalez, Gavin Russom, Tim Goldsworthy, James Murphy, etc would have dreamt up this groovy little number? "Casual Friday(1)" sheds the suit and tie in favor of a loose party affair,...
expand review chock full of frivolous vocals (ed.note: with an underline) and wonky synth action. All the while, a driving disco bassline and handclaps aplenty keep them butts a-wigglin. And if vox ain't your thang, there's a handy instrumental(2) on the flip. Put that in your leotard and smoke it. -Roy Dank
quick audio picks: 12
Not to be confused with Betty Botox, the latest addition to DFA's Death From Abroad label is the Parisian duo of Bot'Ox, aka Julien Briffaz and Cosmo Vitelli. These guys both do great things on their own (like Briffaz' [T]EKEL project and...
expand review Vitelli's I'm A Cliche label) so expectations were high for this release; fortunately, the single is really, really good. An extended dark disco jam with ill live instrumentation and plenty of FX work, "Babylon By Car(1)" manages to keep the "DFA sound" and still sound 100% original, like LCD's moody European cousin. Flip it over for some slo-mo Italo with breathy, dubbed-out vocals on "Tragedy Symphony(2)." Plays at 45. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 123
Gucci Soundsystem (aka Riton & Ben from Fat Truckers) step out of the remix shadows for an original 12" on the suddenly resurrected DFA label. "Acarpenter(1)" is a retro-sounding piece of techno-funk that takes a minute to warm up, but once those...
expand review 80s synth stabs drop in, it's a wrap. The B-side features an extended Joakim remix(2), but the real heat is the inside cut of the A-side, the rumbling "Lord A Mercy(3)." A-side plays at 33; B-side at 45. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 12
Listen to those warm drum kicks, minimal synths, lusty ghost vocals, and perfect snares... I'm in jacking heaven right now! But wait, the label says DFA. WTF? Where's the dirt? I dunno, and frankly, I don't give a rat's ass. This is...
expand review minimal jack house perfection. It reminds me of the deepness of an early Kevin Saunderson mixed with the sexiness of Murk, and in short... it's fucking awesome. We just played "Classique #2(1)" on the speakers here and it got automatic props from the Snackmaster and Minimal Man - the groove is that infectious. Not only is the low end hot, but check the catchy synth hook and vocals. Woo! "Roar(2)" on the flip is another heater in the same vein. Honestly, I don't know which side I like better. Just make sure the people you play this for know how to party, and for goodness' sake, make sure it's dark! Have you ever heard deep jacking grooves in a well lit place? It just doesn't work. -Cmish
quick audio picks: 123456
Finally some excitement in NYC! Hercules & Love Affair have been blowing up this year with their string of enticing singles, reviews and remixes... but are they the real deal? I'm not the first or last to say this, but yes, they...
expand review are. This is their long awaited full length LP release, finally available domestically, clearly setting some yardage beyond the status quo of dance albums this year. The project is made possible with Antony Hegarty (from Antony and the Johnsons) and Kim Annn Foxman on vocals, Tim Goldsworthy helping with production, a small army of live musicians, and the talents of an amazing young writer, Andrew Butler. Needless to say, they are killing it. I know it's hard to stay away from labels like, "Disco Revival" whose roots run deep in the veins of this city, but the only word I can think of is "Fresh." Fresh as is fresh new sounds, in a time when 80's boogie and disco edits are around every corner. Not that I don't love the old stuff, I adore it, but I also love this too, and it's a sound rarely heard. Of course you'll hear comparisons to Arthur Russell, Inner City, Sylvester, Bohannan, etc(the list goes on), but when is it ever bad to be compared to timeless greats? For a lean walkthrough of the Hercules & Love Affair experience, check "You Belong(1)," "Athene(2)," "Blind(3)," "Easy(4)," "Raise Me Up(5)," and "True Flase/Fake Real(6)." This is future classics in the making. Also, the vinyl version comes with a free download card that you can use to get the MP3 version. Highly recommended. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 1234
NY's champion horse of modern disco is back with their second official 12". Just when you thought they couldn't follow up "Blind," they drop this on you. If you listened to the album, "You Belong" stands out as an obvious dancefloor heater...
expand review that's perfect for a single release. Unfortunately, the album version is available only on the other single release of this, but this one makes up for it with a more minimal "Hercules Club Mix(1)," a darker house remix by the legendary "Kevin Saunderson(2)," a bumping remix by the infamous Derrick Carter and a sweet modern house treatment by "Riton(4)." Talk about stacked! -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
DFA is on a tear lately! Whatever this new phase they're in is going to classified as by Vice and a few hipster blogs, I'm totally down with it. New artists Holy Ghost! come with a techy dancerock gem with one dirty,...
expand review dirty bassline. I'm instantly reminded of David Carretta from International Deejay Gigolo's - dirty beats and sassy lyrics. While I'm not too keen on the vocal version(1), thank god there's an instrumental for your ears. Flipping gives us the extra funky remix from Blackjoy(2). Guitar picking, slap bass, and violin jabs funk the hell out of the original, and will more than likely be heard in a Lloydski set in the very near future. I've got 10$ on some serious babies being made on the dancefloor when this one drops. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 12
"Hold On" was one of DFA's biggest hits to date. Not quite as big as "Jealous Lovers" but somewhere in the vicinity of "Yeah" and "Losing My Edge." So for the remix 12", you know that DFA isn't gonna come with the...
expand review stadium-electro-rock version. Instead, you get two brainy reworks by Mock & Toof of "Lycra Virgin" fame. The first remix(1) sounds like a studio outtake from The Time with Roger behind the boards. It's not knocking your head in, but it's consistently funky. You'll catch its genius after the three minute mark. "Mock's Mod Mix(2)" could definitely be classified as minimal, something you'd almost expect to hear on a Spectral release. Hooray for diversity. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234
Solid pick for Hot Chip's second single from The Warning album. "Boy From School(1)" was definitely one of the standout party tracks from the album. The band, who are quickly becoming the remixers du jour, provide one(2) of the remixes, which new...
expand review wavifies the song considerably. The opening moments hark back to New Order (doesn't everything?), and the song has a darker, waves of synth feel. If you ask me, I prefer this version over the original. Erol Alkan provides(3) the DFA-styled remix with live sounding drums, clicky percussion, and big basslines. Also includes the previously unreleased "Bell Ringers(4)." -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
The Maurice Fulton dub remix(1) of "Over & Over" kills it. If it weren't for the Hot Chip vocal dubs, you'd think you stumbled across some extra-tough, early 80s disco-rap dub. However, Fulton works the vocals in masterfully with a generous heaping...
expand review of echo-box and decay. Mock And Toof's dub(2) is pretty cool as well, bypassing the vocals, and going straight for a dreamy electro vibe. The vocal version of the Maurice Fulton Remix(3) is also included. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12345
I hate dropping anecdotes that start with "At Winter Music Conference...," but seriously, at WMC 2006, Hot Chip shanked, twisted, and killed it. It was definitely the musical high light of our trip, not to mention that their Coming On Strong album...
expand review was one of our favorite office listens from last year. Now these new wave nerds are back with their third album, and it's already on the office heavy rotation. My favorites so far: the single "Over And Over(1)," "And I Was A Boy From School(2), Just Like We Breakdown(3), Look After Me(4)," and "The Warning(5)." -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
After a brief hiatus, the DFA label returns with an obtuse yet strangely poppy punk-funk number courtesy of Japanese nutters JOY. Consisting of K.U.D.O.- they sure like those initial-based names over there- and Kan Tagaki from Major Force, with Yoshimi of the...
expand review Boredoms and OOIOO on vocal duties, JOY come on like a wacky take on The Slits. "Sunplus(1)" is quite possibly the most oddball dancefloor single on DFA, and it's all the better for it. The DFA remix on the flip(2) tightens up the loose grooves of the original, although I'm not entirely convinced that it's needed. -Roy Dank
quick audio picks: 12
Debut solo release from former Six Finger Satellite frontman Juan Maclean. Production by the DFA, whose James Murphy also produced Six Finger's last record. The first cut, "By The Time I Get To Venus(1)," is a mid tempo electro stomp with a...
expand review heavy NYC accent. The track gets remixed by 41 Small Stars, aka Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys, coming with a grittier break version(2). B-side features "TG-3X," a lengthy techno-ish track divided into 2 ambient sections and 2 beat sections. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
"Happy House(1)" is a new direction for the Juan Maclean, who seems to be veering away from the darkness of his last couple singles and into the bright light of big house anthems. The nearly 13-minute long(!) track was co-written by and...
expand review features the vocal excellence of LCD Soundsystem's Nancy Whang atop some bouncy bass and 90s style piano. Great stuff with an uplifting vibe without getting too corny. Flip features remixes by two NYC killers: a fantastic dub by longtime Lab amigo Prince Language(2) and an Italo-influenced cosmic burner from Rong's Lee Douglas(3). Three solid mixes; definitely recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
The DFA's veteran shortstop gets his latest single(1) remixed by German producer (and Groove Attack main man) Marcus Worgull(2). Worgull takes his time building up this haunting and hypnotic layered synth concoction, and when the vocals from LCD Soundsystem first lady Nancy...
expand review Whang finally hit, it's lights out. Recommended. -Van Hammersly
quick audio picks: 12
Anything that DFA puts out right now becomes a must have, and judging by the first releases, these singles won't be around for long. The second DFA release for Juan Maclean, former frontman of Six Finger Satellite. "You Can't Have It Both...
expand review Ways(1)" is a deep electro cum new wave track featuring the vocals of Nancy Whang. B-side is my pick, an ambience filled track that kinda creeps all up on you. "My Time is Running Out(2)" again features Nancy, but with a heavy vocoder vest on and an even heavier new wave edge. I am so afraid of living in oblivion. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
It's another DFA moment you can imagine unfolding at Irving Plaza, where The Rapture recently tore shit up. This time, the irascible but polished group teams with the mysterious Juan McLean project, with production and songwriting credits going to the DFA and...
expand review synth wiz Nancy Whang (also a member of the band). "Killing(1)" evokes the funky, dance-friendly rhythms of the DFA and LCD Soundsystem's earlier release "Losing My Edge," only now it's been lost and all that's left are the vocal directives of "1,2,3,4! Kick that fucker out the door!" "Give Me Every Little Thing(2)" is a remarkable cross of influences, with disco/funk vocal demands, somewhat progressive, ambient chords and an absolutely disgusting bass line. Sweat this one out if you can handle it, kids! -Jay Lee
quick audio picks:
45:33 was originally commissioned by Nike for iTunes as a "work out" mix, but this shit is so good that the DFA decided to put it out on CD and LP. The "mix" isn't a mix in the traditional DJ sense of...
expand review the word, but rather an epic disco-movement played live by James Murphy and Co. It starts off with a lonely synth line that slowly builds in tempo then eventually grows into a full on groover that erupts into various rhythms and styles eventually climaxing, then breaking down into an ambient drone. You'll recognize some tunes of the Sound Of Silver album for sure (like "Someone Great" and others) but the way it is all presented is fresh and unique. You should see the list of instruments that James Murphy plays on this thing too - everything from vintage drums, guitar, all kinds of synths, vocoder and the glockenspiel. Very, very impressive. Recommended. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
Have you seen the movie 21? Those of you that have seen it might recognize this tune by LCD Soundsystem from the soundtrack. "Big Idea (1)" is James Murphy and crew going for a big-ass rockin' sound complete with shreddin' guitars, driving...
expand review drums and a truly catchy chorus. I'd say he killed it. On the flip, Babytalk (of Stickydisc fame) gives the track a re-rub, slowing it down a bit to new disco speed and swapping guitar shreds and vocals for bubbly bass and synth stabs. Another sweet addition to the DFA catalog. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 123
This EP collects up all the non-album tracks from LCD's Sound Of Silver singles for the benefit of us North American scum. (These were also included on the CD version of 45:33, but not the vinyl.) Up first is the side-long "Freakout...
expand review / Starry Eyes(1)," a 12+ minute disco jam sesh that's sure to become a favorite piece in the J.Murph discography. There's also the deep, dubby Onanistic mix of "North American Scum(2)" and another jammy jam, "Hippie Priest Bum-Out(3)." Beware the misprint: A-side plays at 45, B-side at 33. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 12
"I'm Losing My Edge. To the kids from France and London. But I was there, I was there in 1968, I was there at the first Can show in Cologne." "Losing My Edge(1)" is self-deprecation over banging lo-fi electro from DFA founding...
expand review member James Murphy. This has got to be one of the most entertaining and enlightening tracks I've heard in a while. Anyone who's been in the game for an extended period will definitely appreciate it, as Murphy's dead pan lyrics capture the moment that cool kid geezers start to wonder what the game is all about, and start noticing the younger breed of cool kids breathing down their necks. It's a strange and painful phenomenon, a mid life crisis of sorts. A masterful work of sarcasm and self analysis, it ironically has become an underground club hit of sorts. I've even heard it's become a Williamsburg party favorite. How avant po-mo. Newbies stick to the b-side "Beat Connection(2)," but will of course quickly migrate to the flip. Recommended. -the mgmnt
indepth
