calvinharris-icreateddisco music reviews Virgin Media
Young Scottish knob twiddler pilfers the synth-disco sound of the Eighties on patchy, overlong debut
With the dayglo delight that was top ten smash Acceptable In The Eighties, this 23-year-old Dumfries bedroom producer certainly "set his stall out" - as you'd expect from a former M&S shelf stacker. The track's debt to that decade's tinny, electro-synth disco sound not only grabbed the attention of Kylie's "people" (Harris-penned tracks are in the pipeline), but lays the foundation for much of this purposely provocatively titled debut.
While Acceptable... is I Created Disco's undoubted highlight, other dance-pop thrills at times froth and fizz. The squelchy breakbeat of Vegas and the old-rave synth-drenched Disco Heat nod at the Eighties while waving towards electroclash and punk-funk. However, over much of its 14 tracks, this album veers off-course towards an immature and smug pastiche lacking hooks, ideas and energy – see especially irritating in-joke This Is The Industry. Harris' arch, Neil Hannon-like vocals further lend a sense of empty silliness on lyrics he himself has admitted mean nothing. Nonetheless, this is an acceptable effort at a time when dance music enjoys a burgeoning rebirth.
More to try:
Felix Da Housecat: Kittenz And Thee Glitz
Hot Chip: The Warning
Mylo: Destroy Rock & Roll
Röyksopp: Melody A.M.
Chromeo: Fancy Footwork
