For evidence as to why labeling subgenres of electronic music is tedious, look no further than this debut LP from UK collective Darkstar. Here they opt to include "Aidy's Girl Is a Computer," a track released around this time last year that helped rein in the bass-heavy wobble of apeshit dubstep in favor of a more streamlined techno-influenced sound
Now look at the tracks that surround it on North. "Two Chords" is more detached-with-grace Junior Boys than anything Junior Boys were able to offer on their most recent effort. There's a slick bounce followed by a gentle rattle and delicate synth plucks on "When It's Gone." And then there's the cover of the Human League's "You Remind Me of Gold." That one warps the catchy new wave of the original down to 30 BPM and something downright hypnotic.
So what then can we label North? It can't be dubstep — there's nothing here that'll make your brain vibrate. So the answer may be to sit back, gently nod along, and wallow in its complete pleasantness — something that's not easily accomplished in today's age of uneven electronic long-players.
