Bloc Party – Signs (Armand Van Helden Remix)

Having had their third album remixed by various artists (our review of which you can read here - Ed.), Bloc Party’s ‘Signs (Armand Van Helden Remix)’ is a notable improvement on the original. The pre-remix version was a somewhat mediocre effort from Bloc Party, whilst this reworking is, by contrast, a thumping affair. It’s overt and expectant dance inflections reflect their own foray into experimenting with dance music and its varying forms.

Where the original is laden with softer melodic touches (via the xylophone) and at the same time relatively muted, showing a reflective touch, Armand Van Helden certainly turns this on its head in his interpretation. Dirty, scuzzy bass, thumping, abrupt beats and infectious synths replace the subdued ambiance.

The line between dance and indie rock has been blurred for a while now, and this refuses to be strictly classed as one or the other, pleasing listeners of both camps. It’s just a shame the rest of ‘Intimacy Remixed’ is such a let down.