NEWSFLASH: ELECTRO STILL SUCKSBut We Make Exceptions for D.I.M. and Brodinski
|
Photo of Brodinksi by Yves Mallenfer
|
Although few history books will be using this as a reference, and many casual observers may not be aware of this, as far as some dance fans are concerned we have entered the post-Justice era. Since electroclash disbanded, like a rent boy rumbled by a policeman mid-job, there’s been a promise of a new dawn of dance music inspired by the initial rumblings of, first, oldish producers like Alter Ego and Tiefschwarz, and before long the likes of Justice, Digitalism and Boys Noize. The first airing of tracks like “Rocker”, “Waters of Nazareth”, and “Zdarlight” hinted at a noisy new wave of electro, full of balls, imagination, excitement. It seemed like something special might be on the horizon – finally the dancefloor saviour everyone had been waiting for. It never showed up.
As the months rolled on, the quality of output from dependable labels like Kitsuné and Relish deteriorated quicker than you can say “Ableton Live”, and the albums that eventually arrived from the main players weren’t exactly the groundbreaking odysseys of sonic experimentation we’d prayed for. In fact, most were just shite (bar Justice, that is, just about). Worse, however, were the acts to follow in their footsteps: a new breed of electro-gumby, with all the gear but no idea. Before long the Beatport and Juno charts were flooded with moronic, formulaic “bangers” that moshed around like a sweaty 15-year-old who just necked his first E, without the faintest hint of anything bordering on depth or musicality. For a taster of this horror show of futuristic keyboard demos, cast your eye first across MySpace or, failing that, pop down to any “filthy” electro night near you.
Any dance enthusiasts with the vaguest shred of dignity quickly jumped ship, opting for techier, housier, or more disco’d options, intrigued by the BPitch label or Turbo’s new acid-fuelled direction, or perhaps the of entrance of cats like Hercules & Love Affair and London’s own Italo-titans Heartbreak. Although, there are a few tips for anyone desperate to weather this unholy storm. Not every grain of hope has been lost just yet. D.I.M., the guy who produced “Airbus Baby”, also known as 2007’s last bon afide anthem, is releasing many menacing throbbers well worth a listen. Young Frenchman Brodinski, possibly the best-looking DJ to ever walk the Earth, has been pushing things in a decidedly more svelte direction. And London boy Duke Dumont has miraculously managed to tinker with Sinden and Herve’s booty-bass territory without ending up sounding like Jive Bunny goes to Baltimore. But be warned, don’t expect everyone to be forgiving when the comedown sets in and you realise you’ve spent the past fortnight raving to GarageBand remixes of Eric Prydz’s second cousin once removed, and you need your jaw surgically removed from your forehead.
RANDY PAN
Thanks to Casper Clark
See all articles by this contributor Anonymous, on Oct 18, 2009 wrote:
did someone just say electronica is dead?...im going to go drink some draino | |
| DeadlySitups, on Jan 8, 2009 wrote:
Here I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the new electro. Like any genre electro can go from fun to annoying pretty easily. When I first heard Justice it struck me as the perfect soundtrack to a night spent pounding beers and puking on other people. That being said, it’s not my cup o’ tea. It made me think about why I was attracted to electro in the first place. The way the masters could evoke an air of mystery, humor, sleaze, intelligence, even psychedelia all within a framework of ass-shaking rhythm was and is still awesome. See Afrika Bambataa, Laidback, Legowelt, Alden Tyrell, and new dude Babytalk. So go start your own electro night if it upsets you hearing the new breed of humorless self important crap when you go out. I know I’ve certainly considered it. | | Anonymous, on Dec 30, 2008 wrote:
GOOD ELECTRO: le car, dopplereffect, drexciya, luke eargoggle, beta evers, egyptian lover, model 500, IF, mantronix, nimoy, beau wanzer, legowelt, gosub, ultradyne, faceless mind, cosmic force, alexander robotnic, orgue electronic, magas, african bambaataa, dmx crew, alden tyrell, dj overdose. | | Anonymous, on Oct 8, 2008 wrote:
you fucking idiot, how shallow is your experience of electronic music over the past few years?
justice is the most over rated, ’effect based’ group ever to come out in my lifetime. learn what the fuck you’re writing about before you start espousing bullshit. Ever heard of apparat?
wake up you twat, then go play in traffic | |
| xnoelle25, on Sep 6, 2008 wrote:
Hmmm... I wonder who the hell killed electronica as a whole?
And don’t listen to hip hop.
You’ll die. Not cool. | | Anonymous, on Jul 2, 2008 wrote:
the new disco scene defines the freedom of youth and i believe theres an idea behind it that brings all kids together and fulfills the teenage wasteland utopia that every kid just really wants to be a part of before they grow up. daft punk and d.a.n.c.e remixes NEVER get old, after years and multitudes of releases.. and as a plus, every theme is a positive one.
i say it makes hiphop seem shallow as fuck
so bottom line, keep this genre alive BECAUSE its exclusively for kids | | |
| |
