Album Review: Soulwax - Nite Versions

Author: Peter Muscutt

Last year saw the release of Soulwax's third studio album, the criminally under-rated Any Minute Now (released in between band members David and Stephen's stints as DJs with the outfit 2 Many DJs). Taking a vastly electronic swing (for the better) it added a brand new edge to their quirky indie style. With that in mind, the Belgian band take this one stage further, and with synths and drum machines under each arm, release Nite Versions, part remix project, part B-sides compilation, which features re-workings of material from Any Minute Now. Taking their cue from the style of remixes from 1980s pop and disco records, the Dewaele brothers Stephen and David cue up the selections here as a DJ set, mixing the tracks together to ensure this flows neatly when you play it at Auntie Edna's 90th birthday party.

Or not.

Things kick off with a cover of the Daft Punk track Teachers, in which they list their own musical influences over a stop-start guitar backing using filtered vocals. A more mechanised remix of Miserable Girl follows, turning what was a so-so album track into a stomping, glam-rock-synth monster, complete with snare drums, whooshing chords and a building computerised rhythm. The previously released version of E-Talking may be familiar to some fans as it was released as a B-side - a great extended version featuring hand claps and a slower paced build up, leading to the inclusion of vocals by sometimes Soulwax collaborator Nancy Whang.

The overall feel of this album was one that it is very much a grower. At first glance, these re-workings may not appear to be anything special, but on further listening, there is a deceiving depth to the tracks, and the majority are improvements on the originals. The electronically-enhanced Accidents And Compliments especially sounds a million miles from its previous incarnation. Also included along the way is a new track, I Love Techno, which begins like some long-lost Pacman computer game theme, and clearly shows that Soulwax are no slouches when it comes to tinkering with synthesisers (they certainly do love techno as well, fans lucky enough to have seen them perform live may have noticed their tendency to segue into the Alter Ego dance track Rocker during E-Talking). As well as remixing Any Minute Now album tracks Compute, Slowdance and KracK (with a building keyboard melody that sounds suspiciously like Trans Europe Express by Kraftwerk), the fantastic bootleg mix featuring the Lipps Inc disco track Funky Town is included, as well as the DFA remix of Another Excuse, as released on the NY Excuse single.

If you're a fan of Soulwax's excursions into the world of electronics or are eagerly awaiting the next 2 Many DJs album, then this release is pretty essential stuff for tearing up a dance floor, or enjoying in the comfort of your own home with your pipe and slippers (although they probably won't stay on for long before you give in and start grooving!).