Electric Guest - This Head I Hold

As a producer, Danger Mouse’s best material comprises of soulful electronic songs propelled by syncopated handclaps, nimble melodies and exciting intrusions of contrastingly harsh electronic percussion. These sounds, which he has created with the likes of DOOM, Gnarls Barkley, Martina Topley-Bird, and Gorillaz, resulted in intriguing tracks with an eerie quality about them despite the shiny production. With these artists it felt like there was always something looming behind the sheen, a musical surrealism if you will. Behind a track’s surface-level beauty, the electronics would tear open that façade to reveal another more colourful world whose clandestine machinations are responsible for everything we directly experience in reality.

Danger Mouse’s forays into other genres such as film scores (‘Rome’) and rock’n’roll (Black Keys, Broken Bells) contain this trademark glossy tightness, where is everything seemingly in its right place. However, this seems to be a point of praise or criticism depending on your tastes. Some critics have noted that some of that he can sound over-produced, which in turn prevents some of his material reaching another level of energy and memorability.

‘This Head I Hold’, from Electric Guest’s upcoming debut album, ‘Mondo’, could easily be the subject of such a debate. While some may like the song for its upbeat but laid-back soul-lite, others could easily feel that the song lacks any impact at all. The song’s sweet vocals, plinky pianos, and muted handclaps are all lovely, and would be a welcome addition to any summer soundtrack.

However, as a song that is ultimately about letting go, it feels frustratingly measured. It doesn’t sweat or get your heart racing. It is like watching a really fun party from behind a window; you can see what’s going on and how fun it is, but in the end there is a barrier preventing you from getting amongst it. A lot of people would understandably find this frustrating. However, if you’re content to listen to the music from the outside, you’re standing next to the right window.