Kitsune- 'Kitsune Maison' (Kitsune) Released 12/09/05

For those of you reading this that have never been delighted by french label Kitsune’s charms before; welcome to your new favourite sound. Like classic crossover merchants Skint, Wall Of Sound and International Deejay Gigolos, Kitsune will be a brand that become as famous as the artists it releases and here my friends is the evidence…

First up is Au Revoir Simone signed like others on here to Moshi Moshi-- if that gives an indication as to the territory Kitsune are taking us to with ‘Backyards Of Our Neighbours’ which is a staggering four minutes of gorgeous chilled electro. So laid back its raided Eminem’s mother’s medicine cabinet this swirls and floats over the speakers beautifully. Next up is Exchpoptrue with ‘Lost and Found’ which manages to sound underground while at the same time selling us bottled water on a TV commercial. All up and down synths with breezy vocals armed with beats more banging than the battle of the Somme this is an out and out stunner. This gives the greatest clue as to the prevailing theme of the CD with eighties synths and pink mullets (probably) being the order of the day.

There is little, if anything to fault here and the rolling hypnotica of Popular Computer’s ‘Clone Age’ is another highlight of a fantastic compilation. This is narrowly beaten by a furlong for the title of best dance choon Gigwise has heard for ages by Architecture in Helsinki’s phenomenal techno blinder ‘Do The Whirlwind’.Sounding like The Waitresses and Chicks On Speed all at the same time this rocks like a loon, thing is this particular stormer is on Moshi Moshi so you can kind of class that as cheating.

The inimatible Tom Vek makes an appearance and the ever dependable VHS or Beta throw in ‘Night On Fire’. Hot Chip plink snap and clatter through the brilliantly titled ‘I don’t know the half of how the hell to keep from holding back’ before Metronomy close proceedings with the supoib ‘This Could Be Beautiful’. Too late mate it already is…