There have been some fantastic debut albums over the last few years but when was the last time you heard one that also created its own genre, unique and completely different from everything else out there? Here Django Django seem to be carrying on the unfinished business The Beta Band left behind, but without a doubt they have a rather different musical formula, and a style that is very much their own. This record is certainly the most excitingly interesting debut for a very long time, and truly stands out amongst the output of the rest of this generation's rising acts. It combines genres effortlessly, brimming with peculiar, random and weird sounds while still offering the most melodically rich and infectious hooks. The sound is unique, fresh and often a lot of fun while the overall vibe is intelligent, inventive, slightly arty and knowingly cool. Sometimes the music can sound so bizarre that attempting to describe it in words becomes rather challenging, they certainly have their own unmistakable blend of magic.
'Introduction' opens the record in an unusual fashion with its tribal rhythms and grasshopper noises before leading into the awesome 'Hail Bop' with its hazy mantra-like vocals, relaxed upbeat demeanour, surf guitar and the first of many irresistibly ear pleasing choruses, a fantastic opening greeting that sounds like it could have come from another galaxy. 'Default' follows, a catchy footstooper with a bizarre vocal hook that sounds like a digital alarm clock. 'Firewater' serves up some psychedelic campfire glam rock blues with jaunty acoustic guitar and quirky vocal melodies before the jungle drums and buzzing synths of 'Waveforms' occasionally break for a brief Zombies-esque 60's chorus.
'Zumm Zumm' is like a 90's dance anthem but driven by analogue synths, cowbell and an array of odd percussive sounds, using repetition to great effect. 'Hand Of Man' delivers more hazy vocal harmonies, hypnotic acoustic guitar, and a faint drum machine beat embellished with intimate handclaps. 'Love's Dart' has scattery electro percussion sounds like swarms of insects flying into a windscreen, a cracking chorus and a bassline that demands your immediate attention while 'Wor' serves up air raid sirens and an ass shaking dose of Cramps-like rockabilly which occasionally makes way for more simple yet instinctively clever verses. 'Storm''s jerky clattering beat and 60's guitar riff makes for another refreshing few minutes while 'Life's A Beach' is a bit like the Super Furry Animals and The Phantom Band bashing out a psychedelic Dick Dale number.
'Skies Over Cairo' is an absurdly brilliant instrumental that takes the listener to a strange place with its eastern flavoured analogue synth melody, bone-rattling percussion and more odd tribal drums. 'Silver Rays' closes proceedings with stoned Beach Boys harmonies, Kraftwerk synths, another pounding beat and finds magic in the minimal.
Deep grooves, strange arrangements, infectious melodies and the perfect combination of the unusual and the immediate. This startlingly great debut album is a refreshing, superbly crafted piece of work that sticks with you after just a couple of listens and leaves you wanting more. 9.2
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