Julian Corrie, aka Glasgow electronica wizard Miaoux Miaoux, has always been recognised for the post-rock influence present in his material, taken from the likes of fellow Weegies Mogwai, giving it a larger, more expansive sound. For the most part, debut full length sees this influence largely downsized as Miaoux Miaoux shifts in a decidedly more pop direction.
That isn’t to suggest that we’ll see him rubbing shoulders with the throwaway arse garbage spewed out by the likes of One Direction any time soon. Despite its clean vocals and synth-pop stylings, ‘Light Of The North’ is a record chock full of finesse and, arguably most importantly, bucket-loads of credibility.
After a wonderfully expansive, reverby start I was initially skeptical, as the first track plays a bit like an electronic emo song. Thankfully this trend does not continue, and the rest of the disc is an excellent mix of huge synth sounds, clever beats and fine-ass grooves.
The standout tracks include the lo-fi duet, ‘Is It A Dream’, with a beautifully sliced loop and glitchy, Daft Punk-a-like chopped-up vocals, the funk-laden grooves of ‘Stop the Clocks’ and the funky hip-hop track ‘Virtua Fighter’ are stellar. Every song here is good though, comprising an album that is guaranteed to get rumps shaking everywhere it’s played.
I already got caught having a bit of a sub-conscious boogie on the bus on my first listen, it’s seriously hard to resist! This is a record with more hooks than the national fishing convention, yet it will appeal to more than just pop listeners with it’s many layers, electro-house grooves and seriously infectious vocal lines. It may only be June, but I can see this topping a number of the more prestigious of electronic end of year lists. Definitely worth checking out.
Light of the North is out now via Chemikal Underground.
Posted by Eoin Boylan
