Frances answer to seminal UK dance labels MoWax and Metalheadz is grooving to a different drum these days. That Parisian label, Source which brought us Airs terrific Moon Safari LP and the acclaimed Source Lab series that unleashed the irresistible French flair of DJ Cam and Daft Punk has traded in the beat, beat, beat for more grooving bass line-influenced "Moogedelica." Left Bank Soul Train, anyone? Just leave your flares and platforms at home, slip into a bit of white Prada and a pair of those sleek modern moon boots all the better to move to these sleek electro-pop-rock grooves. The sound is clean and the aesthetic is freshly elegant.
In this collection of 13 original, unpublished numbers, quite a few of Source Materials composers sound like they were heavily influenced by Airs synthesizer pop: Synth swoops, mischievous melodies, comical asides and looping, popping beats. Either Mellows "Interlude" or Robs "Musique pour un Enfant-Jouet" could easily provide the sound track to "Dr. Who," while Oomiaqs "LUltime Atome" delivers a theme for the yet-unreleased, spaghetti western version of The Fifth Element.
Its not all pop and games, though. Sebastian Telliers "Fantino" is a cinematically beautiful ballad with bittersweet progressions reminiscent of early Slowdive. And Bertrand Burgalats "Kim" is a heady, hypnotizing, minimalist down-tempo meandering that demonstrates how far behind weve left the drum n bass scene.
As retro-futuristic and elegantly frolicky as the new Beetle, Source Material is a time capsule of sounds and ideas that will feel just as modern 10 years from now.
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Detroit Metro Times. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Detroit Metro Times, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at letters@metrotimes.com.
Detroit Metro Times works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Detroit and beyond.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Detroit's true free press free.