Mutiny UK
In the Now
System
Recently, it has been noted that Avril Lavigne threw a tantrum after being compared to (who was it?) Alanis Morissette. Critics are often slammed for too heavily comparing newer artists to more established ones. So, while I do believe that consumers need frames of references whenever approaching any CD, and that nobody is as wholly original as they think themselves to be, I do (sometimes) try to lay off the comparisons. But, when a label exec puts on the CD cover, “If you like Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk and the like, you’ll really feel this,” well, what more can I say? There you go: Mutiny UK’s just like Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk. ‘Nuff said.
But, seriously, folks, British duo (Jesus, how many of those are around, anyway?) Dylan Barnes and Rob Davy have crafted a mighty fine debut. In the Now is a house gem hewn from some of the finest 4/4 found on the planet and etched with just enough personality to make it fine listening in any context. They take the music far beyond cliché and give it just enough soul, plunge it just “deep” enough (and avoid tech at all costs) to satisfy any house fan looking for more.
Vocalists Lorraine Cato, D’Empress, Mary Joy, Niara Scarlett and Amrit Rahi have been assembled to slap cool upon hip in songs like the 2step jam, “The Virus”; the deliciously brooding, “My Own Space”; “Doin’ Me Right”; the Indian/Latin/jazz jam, “New Horizon”; and the dizzying swirl of “Secrets.” And “Kip Da Kik Bouncin’” is absolutely incendiary.
I’m not one for hyperbole (very often), but I don’t think there’s a clunker on this entire disc. You really can’t find a more promising debut – if you’re into Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk. No, seriously. You can’t.
System Recordings: http://www.systemrecordings.com/ • Mutiny UK: http://www.mutinyuk.com/
