Phonique At Juno Download

Review: "Our Time Our Place" came out mid last month as a taster for this, much anticipated third artist album from Phonique. As sophisticated and melodic as the single was, it could have never have hinted at the diversity and musicianship that awaited us in the album proper. Kissing Strangers is a diverse record that draws influence and inspiration from seemingly everywhere. Most of the tracks also feature guest appearances including production work from Gui Boratto, H.O.S.H. Pupkulies & Rebecca, Abyss and Kiloo whilst vocal additions were made by Ian Whitelaw, Berlin-based soul singer Georg Levin, Nadesdha and Louie Austen whose rat pack styled vocals add a vintage shine to "Endless Love". Other highlights include the inimitable cabaret-jazz strut of "A Change Receives the Blessing" and the driving club collaboration with Boratto, "Blindfolded".

Review: Having previously impressed with some quietly impressive deep house, Phonique switches focus on this latest missive from Germany's Systematic imprint. "2 My Jungle" is hard to categorize musically, featuring as it does beats and riffs that boast the swing of Chicagoan boompty and the icy sparseness of German techno. It is, though, very good fun. Daniel Steinberg provides a more fleshed-out remix that benefits from some fidgety percussion and rolling acoustic guitar chords, while bonus cut "Divertimento" - arguably the best thing here - is luscious deep house for classic Balearic sunsets. Good stuff... as always.