With over 15 years of experience, Cassius, individually known as Zdar and Boombass, have finally got into bed with the darlings of French electro, Ed Banger Records. Their latest offering (from the excellent Rawkers EP) twists their proven formula of languid, sexy electro into something more off beat and nasty, accompanied by a massive snare sound. This sound, the signature of many a 2nd rate 'dubstep' track, doesn't force the direction of the song but serves only to complement the typically Gallic swirling synths, distorted basslines and vocal sample. I personally can't get enough of the delivery (in 2 pitches) and its mixed messages of joy and pain, love and hate. In a genre where so many songs are propelled by percussion, Cassius do a better job conveying emotion with 3 lines ('Ooh I love you so/But why I'll love you/I'll never know') than some bands do with an entire song.
The Ed Banger influence is clear, but it exists in a way which doesn't threaten to take the shine off the polished surface Cassius have worked so hard to maintain.
With this latest E.P, Cassius appear to be innovating and changing with the times, seemingly not content to look back on their work under their many guises (Aphex Twin I'm looking at you. It's been 4 years! Make something already!). The thirst to create and produce shimmering masterpieces is still there, as is the ability to get a crowd moving and shaking.
De la bonne musique!
Released: 8th October 2010
Label: Cassius Records/Ed Banger Records
Link: myspace
Words: Darcy Mitchell
No comments:
Post a Comment