Photo:
On May 17 LCD Soundsystem return with their third album which, as yet has no official title. Yes – this track by track guide is so hot off the press that neither an album title nor a first single has been decided upon yet. Helmed once again by James Murphy this third album is rumoured to be the final piece of work we can expect from the band who brought us 'Tribulations' in 2005 and the 'Sound Of Silver' in 2007. Join us now as we delve into the new album, giving you a sneak peak of what to expect from one of 2010's most eagerly anticipated albums.
1.Dance Yrself Clean - Setting its stall out from the very beginning this album starts with a slow and brooding nine minute epic. A solitary Murphy croons to himself amidst sparse percussion. “Sometimes friends are mean, present company excepted” he sings before a gargantuan synth pulse kicks in around the four minute mark. This would make a great set opener for future LCD Soundsystem live shows.
2. Drunk Girls - A classic pop song a la 'North American Scum'. In fact the comparisons to that previous single extend further with 'Drunk Girls' which uses the same bouncing riff as the 2007 anthem. This song is a future smash and must surely be released on its own at some point. “Drunk girls they steal from the cupboards, drunk girls they like to file complaints” says Murphy as he loses himself in the disco beat. A funny and entertaining song this gives the album an early dose of adrenalin.
3. One Touch - After the brevity of 'Drunk Girls' we dive head first into the dark techno underbelly that makes up the majority of this album. Clocking in at nearly eight minutes long this track pounds a heavy beat and is augmented by a child vocalist. The whole things comes out sounding like le Tigre's 'Deceptacon' played at the wrong speed. Driven by a slow, building groove it feels like it could spiral out of control at any point but retains a rigidity that demands attention.
4. All I Want - One of the most lucid and free flowing LCD Soundsystem tracks to date here we see the robotic shackles broken off and the music romping freely in the sun. It's an aggressive motorik beat at the heart of 'All I Want' but one that is sugar coated by one of Murphy's sweetest vocal takes on the album. It's a big sounding song but one that clearly comes from an intimate place.
5.I Can Change - Straight up 80's synths kick things off, conjuring images of fluorescent lycra and keytars. A chewy, hypnotic beat is the underlay for Murphy's lyrical self- doubt, “I can change, I can change, if it helps you feel in love.” he sings to an unnamed figure of his desires. Full of longing and desire this songs feels reminiscent of Hot Chip's child like take on romance and could easily have appeared on any of their recent albums. Who is it that wants James Murphy to change for them? The fools!
6.You Wanted A Hit - A clear riposte to anyone expecting to come into this album for a series of radio friendly, three minute pop songs. “So you wanted a hit, well maybe we don't do hits.” go the lyrics. “I've tried and I've tried. It ends up feeling kind of wrong.”. The longest song on the album at over nine minutes 'You Wanted A Hit' feels like one of the most complete pieces of work to come from the LCD stable.
7.Pow Pow - As the album enters its final third it drops its biggest hit. Pow Pow feels similar to 'Losing My Edge' from the eponymous debut album as Murphy holds court with almost spoken word lyrics and a tribal maelstrom builds above his head. This song is a lot to take in at first listen with police siren noises and call and response vocals but boiled down into manageable pieces it makes far more sense. You suspect a range of stunning remixes of this track will be flooding MP3 blogs very soon indeed.
8. Somebody's Calling Me - After the euphoric highs of the previous two tracks comes the inevitable drop in pace and spirit. LCD Soundsystem can be at their best in the post high lull though and this penultimate song is no wet blanket. Murphy feels like he is wading through the mud of this track as it envelopes him whole. It's a tough listen but one that provides further dimensions to the album.
9.Home - The album closes with one of its lightest moments. A swirl of electronics spin rapidly floating off to a higher place as Murphy urges the listener to “Forget all the rules” and to “Forget a terrible year”. A sweet ode to love this caps what feels like one of the most psychologically unsure LCD Soundsystem. Musically however things are as nailed on as ever. Direct beats, interesting use of electronics and an orgy of ideas on the album go to prove that anyone looking to start out in music could do much worse than to look at Murphy and his band for a blue print in how to do things properly.
The as yet untitled third LCD Soundsystem album is released on May 17 through EMI.
