Release Date: September 30, 2011
Modeselektor’s persistence on refuting generic labels reaches full force in its latest album, Monkeytown. The collection pulls together sonic resources within the dance music realm, however, its content exceeds simply electronic and techno vibes. Fusing hip-hop rhymes, soothing R&B, punk-rap and fanciful quirks into respective tracks makes for a unique, although not entirely cohesive, album. Despite the eclectic nature of Monkeytown as a whole, Modeselektor’s varied approach lends itself to an immense construction of tension, whether that tension is welcomed or not.
Although genre bending seems suitable for the Berlin duo’s style, Monkeytown’s playful energy is, in part, the result of unique collaborations with outside vocalists and rappers. Originally, Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary planned for a purely instrumental album. However, their decision to include a third element, the voice, expanded Modeselektor’s potential to chop, screw, and layer vocal tracks in appropriate places, thus developing their diverse sound further.
Thom Yorke’s appearance on “Shipwrecked” and “This” is unmistakable since Radiohead’s output is easy to detect, but through the segmentation of Yorke’s vocals, Modeselektor gives his softhearted lyrics greater emotional depth. “Shipwrecked” is immensely hypnotic, largely because of its ambient undertones, while the latter track relies on echoed swells and Yorke’s rolling lyrics to saturate the listener.
Among the 11-song feat, “Pretentious Friends” stands out for its heavy rap orientation, kinky basslines, and squiggly synths. L.A. native Busdriver provides his egotistical rhymes on the track, and the sonic filters, squeaks and warps that Modeselektor applies to his lyrics carry the output onto the dance floor. “Humanized” is a rather horrifying take on the rap game as it utilizes eerie vibrations that sound as though they are emitted from space, while Anti Pop Consortium’s blank, straightforward chorus depicts unsettling imagery.
Another track that maintains a cohesive motive is Miss Platinum’s appearance on “Berlin,” where her soulful, natural voice is melded against chopped harmonies in the hook. The gravity of songs such as “German Clap” and “Evil Twin” differ from the aforementioned singles because within each, genre diversity and experimentation take a front seat. ”German Twin,” in particular, flirts with funky U.K. rhythms but adds its own twist with ascending synth chords contradicting descending, bubbly bass.
Overall, Monkeytown is an extensive, almost overreaching collection that isn’t as accessible as many of its contemporaries.
As a whole, the album comes off rather scattered in its attempts to reach a particular audience, and it might be received as experimentation that has gone a bit too far. Nonetheless, although its disorientation has the potential to confuse and sour some listeners’ appreciation, the mixture of Modeselektor’s approach and its playful nature as a party disc renders it worth a listen—especially if that listen is under bright, flashing lights on the dance floor.
Modeskeletor – Monkeytown tracklist:
- “Blue Clouds”
- “Pretentious Friends”
- “Shipwreck”
- “Evil Twin”
- “German Clap”
- “Berlin”
- “Grillwalker”
- “Green Light Go”
- “Humanized”
- “This”
- “War Cry”
