- Soulwax are, it seems, pining for the past. Lately, the duo of Stephen and David Dewaele—who also perform as 2ManyDJs—have been touring alongside James Murphy with a customised, million-euro soundsystem, Despacio, playing all-vinyl sets of funk and disco. Last year, Soulwax made music for a film, Belgica, about a fictional Ghent nightclub in the early noughties. On "Masterplanned," from the band's latest album, From Deewee, they suggest that today's "instant access to all things ever made" means "all the fun is happening somewhere else."
From Deewee isn't a particularly retro-sounding record, though it was made in an old-school way. The album was recorded in one take with five other musicians, three of whom—Iggor Cavalera, Victoria Smith and Blake Davies—are drummers. Aside from the odd drum solo, as on "Is It Always Binary," the rhythms are tight and unfussy, giving tracks like "The Singer Has Become A Deejay" an extra oomph.
From Deewee might baffle those expecting the high-octane energy of 2005's Nite Versions, or the rocky guitars of their earlier albums. Bar the odd moment—"Do You Want To Get Into Trouble?'"s festival-friendly stomp, or "Masterplanned"'s acid bassline—both styles have been jettisoned here. On tracks like "My Tired Eyes" and "Trespassers," they sound like a polite electro pop band. This more mature style might be more rooted in the past, but it's a fresh direction for Soulwax, who seem to be deliberately severing themselves from any current trends. The theme of disconnection that runs through the lyrics might explain why. "It's not easy / but it's true / what we need is something new," sings Stephen Dewaele on "Missing Wires."
Designed to be listened to as a continuous mix, From Deewee is as much about the flow between songs as the standout anthems. But, given that 2ManyDJs remains a going concern, you wouldn't bet against the Dewaeles transforming some of these tracks into rave rockets for festival crowds. Even as they ask for "something to last all night / make me a better dancer" on "Transient Program For Drums And Machinery," Soulwax seem less interested in chasing those sort of thrills these days.
Tracklist01. Preset Tense
02. Masterplanned
03. Missing Wires
04. Conditions Of A Shared Belief
05. Is It Always Binary
06. Do You Want To Get Into Trouble?
07. My Tired Eyes
08. Transient Program For Drums And Machinery
09. Trespassers
10. The Singer Has Become A Deejay
11. Here Come The Men In Suits
12. Goodnight Transmission