Artist: Cut Copy
Album: Zonoscope
Label: Modular Recordings
Release Date: Feb. 8
Grade: A
Dance music freaks and indie-hipsters alike can rejoice over Aussie group Cut Copy's third studio album, Zonoscope. From classic pop music to ambient trance, Cut Copy's new album transcends genres to provide a record that appeals to everyone.
In comparison to its 2008 predecessor, In Ghost Colours, Zonoscope tones the ecstatic energy down just a notch to make room for a more spaced-out approach to dance music. The result is a quality experience that carries many of their melodic strengths into a new territory.
Opener "Need You Now" quickly establishes the mission statement. In essence a pop song, the track slowly builds the excitement with an ever-present pulse and dashes of synthetic melody. By its end, there is no doubting the song's versatility.
The body of the album continues to explore variations of complex yet upbeat dance-pop. "Take Me Over" is a brash, energetic tune with nuances like African rhythms and sports-stadium enthusiasm in co-existence. "Pharaohs and Pyramids" keeps the energy and directs it toward a more bittersweet, mysterious sound.
The most interesting track is the epic closer "Sun God," which clocks in at over 15 minutes. The first of three sections is not far off from the tracks preceding it, but the remaining pieces of the song form a real standout moment on the album.
"You've got to live/ You've got to die/ So what's the purpose, of you and I/ You want some passion/ You can receive/ And it ain't no question/ In this I believe," sings vocalist Dan Whitford.
The life-affirming chant continues until a fantastic ambient chill-out closes the album in peace and happiness.
Zonoscope is a welcome burst of positivity in the package of a skillfully crafted dance album. Whether it is played for its sense of melody, movement or spirit, it will likely score high on top-10 lists at the end of the year.
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
