NEWS
EVENTS
Forget your thoughts on Powell, his new album is different
Powell is a producer quickly becoming known for experimentation in the studio and pushing sounds which unite traditionally opposing genres and scenes in unexpected ways, which of course are the sounds which end up making it big as they exhibit some degree of originality.
Powell has released ‘Frankie’ and ‘Jonny’, two tracks from his debut album Sport, which is out on the 14th of this month on XL Recordings. ‘Frankie’ is analogue techno which references classic rock and indie in its fleeting moments of scorching electric guitar and deadpan, IDM vocals. Three quarters in, the track dissolves into a whole new groove, which, in a world of repetition, might be just what techno is looking for.
'Frankie' is anthemic to electronic music in its meagre few lyrics - 'Your flag, it burns/ Your nature, it turns/ It's your culture' is a painful line in light of Fabric's recent closure and the plight of London's nightlife. The video for Jonny is the most punk moment dance music has had in a long time, marrying club culture's spirit of bringing diverse people together with the rock and roll spirit of smashing things wih electric guitars.
The self-aware lyrics and pop-art style music videos point to a departure from the bleak sonic experimentation of early Powell and to a newfound focus. They point to what is becoming the most important facet of Powell – he writes dance music about dance music. He tackles the theme most relevant to his art instead of the themes – love and heartbreak - most commonly explored in club music, hitting on subject matter which is far more current and poignant.
Powell is on Twitter and his record label Diagonal is on Soundcloud.
