Shine 2009 - Realism

This review could be so short, it could just read ‘Scandinavian dance pop released on Cascine’. Six words which are essentially the equivalent of a red-hot branding iron ready to sizzle and scorch just one word into yer brain: Quality. But we can’t be doing six word reviews, and we can’t be using branding irons, so let’s expand on that a touch.

Let’s start with Cascine, the label. Dance music maybe more than other genres identifies with it’s label, gives the listener a clue as to what to expect. Cascine have proved to be quite the 2011 treasure trove and seem a fine fit for Shine 2009. A small, experimental stable of up-and-coming thoroughbreds including the likes of Jensen Sportag, Chad Valley and the ’whoa, watch these guys go’ promise of World Tour. All dabble in forward-thinking, mind-bending deviants of what we used to just call indiedancepopstuff and can now not pin a badge on for longer than a heartbeat without it shape shifting into yet another dazzling form. And that’s fine, this doesn’t need lazy tagging, it just needs to be listened to, and right now the one that’s demanding the listening is this sumptuous debut.

Compared to other Scandinavian heavyweights such as The Tough Alliance or Ceo who nod towards playful Balearic thrills this is an altogether warmer, more laid back, soulful sound. Its heart rooted in a love of early 90s clubby pop, but its brain buzzing with an entirely 2011 wit and sophistication. Without that brain using Paula Abdul (yeah, straight up, the actual Paula Abdul) for the backing vocals of ‘So Free’ might seem an unnecessarily cute crowd pleaser. Instead it makes sense, adds an authentication to the tune, creates a link between the way-back-then and the right-here-right-now. More importantly of course, the track just totally rules.

Anyway, nostalgia’s okay in dance music isn‘t it? It’s all about mood right? The technical shouldn’t matter and should never be needed to explain the feel. A 303 can just be the road that goes past Stonehenge and an 808 can just be a state. The music needs to take you out of the present, drop you back into faded memories or help picture future realities. Boy does this record deliver on that: Sometimes acidy bleeps build and spiral, force goosebumps for barely remembered nights when 5am was still early and everyone moved in slow motion unison through strobe lights. And when it doesn’t take you back it takes you forwards; makes you dream of holidays to come. The gorgeous, syrup thick, ‘Modern Times’ is early evening in a beachside Miami bar, dazed from the day’s heat, the drinks long and cold, the setting sun bathing your world in gentle orange glow, everyone looks beautiful, everything seems perfect. This record takes you there.

Halfway through the Air France-esque ‘New Rules’ an insistent synth piano and chiming cowbell breakdown kicks in. Encapsulating the record beautifully, the timing is spot-on; you go from slap-bang-now into such an iconic sound, so traceable to time and place, it makes eyes light up in ‘I was there’ delight. And if you weren’t there, well here’s your chance to take part now.