AUTOKRATZ ANIMAL ALBUM KITSUNE, CO-OPERATIVE RELEASE: JUNE 22, 2009 REVIEW: AUGUST 4, 2009

Autokratz are duo David Cox and Russell Crank. “Animal” is the name of their new album, following the critically well-received debut mini album “Down and out in Paris & London”. What else can I say? Well, plenty – they are electronic, in the poppier side of the genre at times, and veering towards harder techno styles at others. Most importantly, as you will find out, they make damn fine tunes...

“Stay the Same” is an immense tune – very poppy, yet very danceable too – infectious as a certain type of flu currently doing the rounds, and has possibly one of the best break-downs you are likely to hear this year. Can I give any more of a recommendation for a tune than that? Obviously Kitsune, the French label this London duo are signed to, thought so too, as this is the first single. “Speak in Silence” also plays pop, but in a very twisted way, sounding not unlike parts of it were recorded underwater (doubtful, but who knows!).

The flaws start to kick in at the midway point of this album – mainly through the onset of familiar themes. There is a lot of staccato (jittery) sounds employed, which grate after a while – especially through “Can’t Stand without”, which would be a better track if it weren’t for the overuse of the ol’ twitching effect. There is also a reliance on what can only be described as “nervous” rhythms – repetitive mantras that run through tracks like “Last Show” – they work for a while, but soon start to scrape at your nerves.

The best track of the lot is “Can’t Get Enough” – clocking in at just a shade off three minutes, but it packs a lot of unsettling madness into that short time. “Gone Gone Gone” makes a nice little main course to the aforementioned track, which goes before it, sounding like a lot of electronic alarm clocks all going off at the same time! The tracks also mark a move into slightly harder territory, as pop disappears, in place of a much harder techno sound.

So it’s a nice little album in general – mostly easy on the ear and heavy on the foot – just as all electronic music should be, though I feel focus is lost in places. Not really a home stereo or digital player affair, but I bet it sounds good on the dancefloor.

MIKE WHYTE