Category Archives: Switched On

Let’s Dance – Justice: Hyperdrama (Ed Banger / Because)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

With the dissolution of Daft Punk, Justice are now one of the mainstays of French dance music, flying the flag with their fourth album.

Hyperdrama is their first long player in seven years, but they spent a lot of time recording, enlisting guest vocalists such as Tame Impala‘s Kevin Parker, Thundercat and Connan Mockasin – but also making good chemistry with new talent RIMON and Miguel.

What’s the music like?

The music for Hyperdrama may not be a massive departure from what Justice do best, but that is surely good news for those who love them. The album is well thought out, starting off with a high from the likes of Generator, which is contrasted nicely with the two Kevin Parker tracks, and Incognito, which works the room well.

Then it all changes around half way through, the tempo slowing and the saxophone emerging for the cheesy but enjoyable Moonlight Rendez-Vous, a slow track that nonetheless works a treat as a poolside chillout tune.

Then, gradually, the energy returns – with Saturnine and The End.

Does it all work?

Pretty much – the only reservation being that Justice may have used a bit too much studio gloss in the final production process.

Is it recommended?

It is. Hyperdrama may be a bit more polished than previous work bit it still presses all the right buttons!

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Published post no.2,163 – Monday 29 April 2024

Switched On – Adam Wiltzie: Eleven Fugues For Sodium Pentothal (Kranky)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is an eagerly awaited solo album from Adam Wiltzie, once part of acclaimed duo Stars Of The Lid with the much-missed Brian McBride.

For this album, he looks to anaesthetic drugs for inspiration, recreating in a musical sense the feeling of induced sleep, where cares are parked and the brain is slowed.

Aiding him with production is Loop‘s Robert Hampson.

What’s the music like?

Some ambient music immediately makes you go “Aaah…”…and that is definitely the case with Adam Wiltzie, who sets out on a serene journey with these pieces.

They may not be fugues in the musical sense, but there is a sense of precision, a stately profile where each note carries equal importance.

The evocatively titled Buried At Westwood Memorial Park, In An Unmarked Grave, To The Left Of Walter Matthau, runs in two slow parts, its supporting ambience soft in focus but not in content.

Robert Hampson’s production supports Stock Horror, where a sonorous drone underpins an elegant chord progression. Dim Hopes adds bell-like chimes up top, while the drone takes on a new dimension in the deep, rumbling bass of Mexican Helium. A similar power can be felt in the broad scope of As Above Perhaps So Below.

Does it all work?

It does, especially if the album is experienced as a single musical canvas.

Is it recommended?

Without hesitation. It is reassuring indeed to have this release from Wiltzie, whose poise and stature in modern ambient music will only be enhanced by this special album.

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Published post no.2,162 – Sunday 27 April 2024

Let’s Dance – Alexander Robotnick: Kind of… Robotnick (Hot Elephant)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the third album in Alexander Robotnick‘s Simple Music series, and presents eight tracks in the Italian producer’s hallmark style.

What’s the music like?

Electronic disco is the name of the game, and Robotnick delivers a set of classy productions that are straight on the dancefloor with no messing.

Moving Light sets the tone, chunky beats and minimal but effective production that gets straight to the point. Robotnick has a sleek delivery, and the likes of A Tech House In Nilwella and Lipstick operate with ease over strong, four to the floor beats, the latter going for a sharper set of timbres. What You Think Of Me is quicker, and the bass has real presence, but arguably the best is saved for last with Rounding About, a really strong groove.

Special mention should also go to A Blow To The Heart, with a fine guest turn from Ludus Pinsky.

Does it all work?

It does. Robotnick hits the groove running and doesn’t stop!

Is it recommended?

Yes, and if you’ve got the other two in the series there is no need for hesitation. If you haven’t, and fancy a set of nocturnal grooves with an electro edge, then look no further.

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You can listen to the album and explore purchase options on the Beatport website

Published post no.2,154 – Saturday 20 April 2024

Switched On – The Utopia Strong: The BBC Sessions (Rocket Recordings)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Six years in, The Utopia Strong continue to spread their wings, a band who are successfully blending the art of studio recording with that of improvisation. The latter is very much in play on The BBC Sessions, a collection of five tracks recorded in session for Marc Riley on 6Music in September 2022.

Arcana have been fortunate to interview Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi from the band, but for now the word goes to Torabi on how the album progressed. “When we hit a point where all three of us really had something going, we would continue while the proverbial tape was rolling, so, the shorter pieces are the result of about ten or fifteen minutes playing that you wouldn’t have heard.”

What’s the music like?

There is a strong unity between the three protagonists here, and the result is a powerful suite of pieces that creates a wide range of ideas. A lot of the action takes place in the company of drones, providing a point of reference for the listener and a strong harmonic base.

Certainly Miniature Citadels establishes its base early on, the drone supporting some melodic jousting above. The lines are angular but there is an impressive amount of energy generated, supplemented by a chunky rhythm section.

Lamp Of Glory is a beauty, with a melodic figure up top dancing in the half life, like an energetic strobe light. Soon the pipes take centre stage, played by Mike York, a virtuoso display The final two tracks are lengthy studies. The Tower Is Locked is highly descriptive music, the structure in question shimmering in the half light, before an increasingly powerful drum track takes hold. Finally Weather All, a tribute to the much loved producer, is underpinned by a strong, bassy drone over which a number of electronic bleeps and psychedelic riffs play out. The confidence with which these two tracks unfolds is both assuring and impressive.

Does it all work?

It does. The Utopia Strong prove difficult to classify, in the best possible way – and their music and its development are compelling throughout.

Is it recommended?

Most definitely. This is a band still very much in development, but the span and content of these tracks gives an indication of what they are capable of. With three very different musical minds that complement each other well, The Utopia Strong have got to that enviable position where everything they do is well worth experiencing.

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Published post no.2,137 – Tuesday 9 April 2024

Let’s Dance – Frank & Tony: Ethos (Scissor and Thread)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Ten years on from their last appearance on a long playing format together, DJs Francis Harris and Anthony Collins renew their partnership with this collection of deep house cuts.

The idea was that Frank & Tony would connect for one night only on an imaginary dancefloor, vowing, in the words of the label, “to make work together in the future; however, having exchanged no information, and with classic club kid garb obscuring any common identifying characteristics, they turn to the internet in hopes of reconnecting for a collaboration.”

Since their first album, You Go Girl, the duo have taken part in all manner of collaborations, many of them under the Scissor and Thread umbrella, though here they use their own contact book to bring in a number of fellow artists. These include Eliana Glass, DaRand Land, Lawrence and DJ Aakmael.

What’s the music like?

Classy. Ethos fits into the duo’s observation that deep house music has evolved a great  deal since 2014, but in many ways it has been a point of stability. There has always been a need for new music in the genre, but often artists have been able to keep the stylistic features while producing quality new work.

Such is the case here. A warm wave breaks over Olympia, whose solid beat supports a beguiling vocal from Eliana Gloss. This is a heat-soaked track, crackling with atmosphere – a trick repeated later on with Cecile, with just a bit more breeze from the hi-hat.

DaRand Land joins for Ethos, an airy number with an active bass, while DJ Aakmael’s sultry collaboration Drift operates on the slower side, its minimal material spreading easily across the sonic sky. Too Poor For Movies, Too Tired For Love is a thoughtful number with Lawrence, its introspective mood countered by active keyboards.

The duo use fuller beats for their own tracks, upping the pace for By The End They Will, which features one of those keyboard pad sounds you could dive into. From Life Ahead is more languid, while Continuity breaks the beat and adds an effective spoken word sample.

Does it all work?

It does. This is the sort of music that seems to come effortlessly to Frank & Tony, but which is surprisingly hard to reproduce!

Is it recommended?

It is. An album of thoughtful deep house that comfortably does its job in also telling the feet to get that bit closer to the dancefloor.

For fans of… Miguel Migs, Kevin Yost,

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Published post no.2,129 – Tuesday 26 March 2024