Wave Machines : 'Keep The Lights On'
With funky rhythms and retro vocals 'Keep The Lights On' is a mixture of new and old blended superbly into a tidy, danceable package. Full of subtle grooves and infectious beats, both techno and old school 80s' funk shine through to great effect. Use of a drum machine is complemented perfectly by a staccato bass line, leaping from high to low without the slightest sign of intruding on the melody. Vocally it slides from an Ian Curtis-esque beginning, full of dark tones and the hint of an echo, to an excellently pitched falsetto. A drastic change indeed, but a seem-less and appropriate one all the same.
Sustained keyboard and elasticised electronic flicks create another dimension to an essentially simple track, maintaining interest and ensuring there is always something to listen to. There is certainly no sense of urgency. Each element is of mellow pace and, combined together, make for an intricate yet decidedly laid back affair.
It certainly is a joy to listen to. You would certainly be hard pushed not to find yourself swaying with the beat, that much is certain. Although seemingly simple in premise, careful consideration and hidden subtleties anchor it deep into the mind, with every listen revealing something new. And the thing is, you will have to listen to it again. You will just have to.
Words: Dan Grose
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