AT their inception in 2007, Klaxons did what pretty much no band have done since: arrive with a fully-fledged ideology – new rave. Luckily for fans of that movement, seven years on and new album Love Frequency is a definitive return to it.
Blending the euphoria of today’s dance scene with the aesthetics, experimentation and instrumentation of post-punk, opening track ‘A New Reality’ grabs you by the disco balls. It’s subversive pop indeed, but it’s also got substance which makes this LP easily digested.
Exploring the double lead falsetto and relaxed rave synth that have always been their trademark, tracks like ‘Show Me A Miracle’ explore a new prism of NYC RnB, British synth pop seeps out of ‘Out of the Dark’, while straight-up 90s Corona chart house is easily recongised in ‘Invisible Forces’.
Three years in the making, Love Frequency reasserts the most basic principals of Klaxons; that it is possible to make bizarre, transformative pop music which can conquer stadiums just as well as dingy dive bars.
Recorded in bursts with a regular rotation of their friends, before finishing it themselves. Time was spent with James Murphy, Tom Rowlands of the Chemical Brothers, Erol Alkan and electro duo, Gorgon City. Input from all remains, but with tracks being revisited many times, the final record is a mélange of all producers, fed through the filter of the three Klaxons.
Prog and dance music sensibilities collide wonderfully on Love Frequency, if you like contemporary dance music, this effort is absolutely one for you. Love Frequency is in step with the more fascinating sounds buzzing about at the moment, from Yeezus to Jon Hopkins to Dixon and Ame.
The general perception is that Klaxons second record was a misstep. Despite good reviews, the band admit that it failed to resonate with the planet at large. Luckily then, that Lover Frequency is most definitely a giant leap back in the right direction.
‘Love Frequency’ Tracklist:
1. A New Reality
2. There Is No Other Time
3. Show Me A Miracle
4. Out Of The Dark
5. Children Of The Sun
6. Invisible Forces
7. Rhythm Of Life
8. Liquid Light
9. The Dreamers
10. Atom To Atom
11. Love Frequency
Love Frequency is released on 16th June 2014. ‘There Is No Other Time’ is available now.