Róisín Murphy - Róisín Machine

Róisín Murphy’s “Róisín Machine” is heavy, luscious dance music. These songs were made over a long stretch of time, but you’d never be able to tell—the whole thing is presented as a continuous mix, and besides, everything sounds of a piece anyway, there’s a cohesive aesthetic of nighttime hedonism, heading out on the town to have a good time. Murphy worked with Crooked Man/DJ Parrot on these songs, and the album feels like it represents their perspective or take on some the most fun and pleasurable dance sounds of the past 20 or so years. “Simulation,” the lead track, sounds a little in attitude like a long-lost cousin to Black Leotard Front’s “Casual Friday,” with a wild, sexy swagger, with a nod or two to early Daft Punk sounds. One of my favorite tracks on the album, “Something More,” is a huge tune full of big sounds and feels like it captures whole worlds of music in its 7-ish minute duration (the way this song moves reminds me of the overall spirit of Michael Mayer’s Fabric mix for some reason, specifically the vibe of “Oldschool, Baby (Piano Mix”)). “Shellfish Mademoiselle” is a souped-up, sweeter version of an early-period Junior Boys ballad, and “We Got Together” has the abrasive, in-your-face rhythm of a Maurice Fulton production. It all sound so good and fresh because of Murphy’s voice, which is a force. She coos, cajoles, murmurs, hollers, whispers, and moans throughout these 10 tracks. It’s a blast.

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