Black Strobe At Juno Download

Review: Belgian duo Renaud Deru and Andy Faisca describe the Mustang sound as "psyche pop disco". It's a fairly spot-on description for the new wave/nu-disco grooves showcased on this debut single. "Apocalypso" itself is a high-energy hotch-potch of 80s Eurodisco stomp, cheap sounding synth pomp and prog-rock influenced cosmic oddness. It has its tongue firmly pressed into cheek, and is all the better for it - we mean, how else would they have been able to get away with audacious guitar solos and Casio keyboard strings!? The marvelously named "Dick Reverse" cuts down the campery in favour of a midtempo psychedelic disco groove with subtle pop overtones.

Review: Black Strobe's most recent chunk of new wave, fringe-busting techno finally comes to digital, following an initial release on vinyl last year. The Parisian combo's original version is nowhere to be seen, though; instead, we're treating to a sequence of intoxicating remixes. Brioski impresses with his dark electro-disco take - all plucked fretless bass, rolling acid synths and discordant guitar solos. Crackboy tiptoes into the world of retro-techno - think analogue grooves and Derrick May strings - while Pharao Black Magic go all piano-heavy on their rush-inducing version. The Rambla Boys mix sounds like Chicken Lips making deep house, while Sheffield-based cuddly bears Hiem roll out some sparse but funky new wave tech-pop.