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The enigmatic Frenchman returns with his second studio album ‘Flashmob’ and like fellow countrymen Daft Punk and Air ensures a fusion of styles of which even Heston Blumenthal would be proud. An early trombone player, Pasacal Arbez became fascinated with dance music in the mid-90s, releasing his first 12” in 1996. He is not a man to be rushed, two studio albums in 13 years is the musical equivalent of Emile Heskey’s goals-to-game ratio. That said, ‘Flashmob,’ unlike Heskey, was definitely worth the wait.
The opening three tracks feel like a call to arms. ‘See The Sea (Red)’ is pure minimal, blending a killer bassline with space-age lasers – the result is the soundtrack Bucky O’Hare never had. ‘Posion Lips’ continues in the same vain, immediately upping the intensity, the atmospheric feel is magnified as a stretched out vocal provides an image of sprawling landscapes. Imagine driving down an empty M1 late at night with only the lampposts for company and you’ll get the feel here.
The dancefloor tunes come thick and fast. ‘See The Sea (Blue)’ takes all the elements of the opener yet fast forwards to 3am Marty McFly-style. The vocal is suddenly beautiful contrasting the bassline to perfection, and as the lasers return just after the drop the result is a serious head-fuck. ‘Terminateur Benelux’ is pure unadulterated filth; the bassline should come with a warning sticker to wash your hands after use. Whereas ‘Chicken Lady’ is pure chunky bass into driving electro, a remix without the robotic voice would be huge.
It’s not perfect, ‘Still’ starts as if a Berlin-back alley, sinister and soothing it shifts into the irritable as a slurred vocal comes over the top the only option is to skip on. ‘Flashmob’ more than makes up for anything ‘Still’ lets down though. Smokey synths over a pounding bass, the intensity is built by a never-ending scale (think Pete Heller – Simpler) which loops back round without a real drop. The effect is a delight and played at the right time in a set, the crowd would be putty in the DJs hand.
Although unlikely to feature in The Fat Duck anytime soon, ‘Flashmob’ is definitely worth your cash this month. One for the car stereo and the open road. Just don’t fully lose yourself as Vitalic intended or you’ll end up upside down in a ditch. Although you’ll probably still be smiling.
