Metronomy 'Summer 08' (ALBUM REVIEW)

"...Album opener ‘Back Together’ effortlessly fuses choppy guitar interspersed with sun-drenched synths, all propelled along with an urgent driving rhythm, and adding still further to the 1980s feel, ‘Miami Logic’ provides the listener with another taut bass, this time wrapped around and somewhat oriental sounding Rio-era guitar riff..."

Album number five from the West Country quartet continues on their quest from electronic instrumental origins to more accessible art-pop nuggets as frontman Joseph Mount assumes total control for the first time since the band’s debut album over a decade ago.

Summer 08’s lead-off single ‘Old Skool’ is a sleazy punk-funk number straight out of the 1980s New York club scene with water-tight bass, cowbell, hip-hop scratching all drenched in retro synth, eerily redolent of Heart of Glass, setting the tone for the first half of the album, also a racing certainty to have posteriors wiggling in all the coolest haunts throughout the coming summer.

Album opener ‘Back Together’ effortlessly fuses choppy guitar interspersed with sun-drenched synths, all propelled along with an urgent driving rhythm, and adding still further to the 1980s feel, ‘Miami Logic’ provides the listener with another taut bass, this time wrapped around and somewhat oriental sounding Rio-era guitar riff.

We’re off to the roller disco next with ‘16 Beat’ before ‘Hang Me Out To Dry’ enlists the services of expertly coiffured Swedish soprano Robyn for a more chilled out, less edgy sound more prevalent during the second side as lush synths sooth and comfort the listener, in stark contrast to the subject matter, namely the ups and downs of relationships.

The bass line on ‘Mick Slow’ is so lopsided and dissonant it sounds like it’s been kicking around inside someone’s head for quite a while but kind of works, perhaps saved by with a soothing hope laden chorus. ‘My House’ brings a smattering of slap bass to the table before ‘Night Owl’, ‘Love’s Not an Obstacle and ‘Summer Jam’ provide a trio of more laid back grooves to carry proceedings to a close, whilst also bring the listener back down nicely.

Words - Mike Price

Summer 08 is out now via Because Music

Metronomy official