WHO ARE THEY? The 30-year-old French EDM and synth-pop duo of Boom Bass and Philippe Zdar — the latter of whom reportedly fell to his death from a 19-storey Paris building two days before this disc arrived.
WHAT IS THIS? Their fifth and presumably final studio album together — which also features cameos by Beastie Boy Mike D, Portugal. The Man’s John Gourley, Rapture vocalist Luke Jenner and others.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Slightly darker and deeper than it might have seemed three days earlier — Zdar’s shocking and untimely death can’t help but colour the way you hear and feel about these interlocking hypno-house tracks and moody electro-pop constructs.
WHAT WOULD BE A BETTER TITLE FOR THIS ALBUM? Dreems and Nightmares.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? It’s hard to say. On one hand, Zdar might want listeners to celebrate his life and music by dancing; on the other hand, it might feel kind of sacrilegious. So go with what feels right for you.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Groovy, melodic, colourful, lighthearted, poppy, sweet, infectious, moving, tragic, intricate.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? Not surprisingly, the guest spots. The exuberant Cause Oui! puts Mike D’s energy to good use, the slinky Nothing About You suits John Gourley and the Latin vibe of the title cut boasts a soaring melody suited to Luke Jenner’s lush pipes.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY? ‘Maybe we should wait and come back to this in a couple of months.’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? Not much right now, perhaps, but you might find yourself coming back to it.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE A MOVIE, WHAT KIND OF MOVIE WOULD IT BE? The kind that gets pulled from theatres at the last moment.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL? Whatever makes you most comfortable.
