- L.A. duo Guns ‘N’ Bombs have decided it is time for America’s answer to the electro rock frenzy capturing French hipster attention at present. The duo is Chicago’s own infamous DJ Johnny Love and current Ima Robot bassist Filip Turbotito, drawing on the former’s floor-filling knowledge and the latter’s technical expertise. ‘Nothing Is Getting Us Anywhere’, their debut single on Parisian label Kitsuné, clarifies how these two strikingly observant scene students are gaining cred with the French Touch elite.
Despite its obvious profound respect for Justice and MSTRKRFT, ‘Nothing’ mostly avoids falling in line with the seemingly endless line of second rate clones buzzing around these days. Sure, a saw-toothed bass slices a menacing path through the tune and the vocals are all too familiarly distorted, but combined with an ever-shifting synth atmosphere and spliced click percussion, the tune spends more time jabbing dancers from all angles than banging in heads. To be honest, I prefer the lengthier B-side, ‘Crossover Appeal’, despite the A’s visceral charms. Its title smugly acknowledging the movement’s commercial prospects, and its rapid-fire liquid pads, ferocious bass work and frantic climax set it apart from its influences – here Guns ‘N’ Bombs contend with the big boys they revere on their own terms. Considering also their two impeccable and well-blogged mixtapes, as well as their infectious remix of The Teenagers’ ‘Homecoming’, it seems that Guns N’ Bombs have already claimed America as their own raving kingdom.
TracklistA Nothing Is Getting Us Anywhere
B Crossover Appeal