Darkstar: North

Darkstar
North
Rating: Grrrr

For the past couple of years, Darkstar (James Young and Aiden Whalley) were known more for being an up and coming dubstep production duo for the influential Hyperdub label than for being a "band" in the technical sense. They released several singles (including one of my top singles last year with "Aidy's Girl Is A Computer") and EPs and went into the studio to create a full length album. After giving no concrete reason, either from boredom or from not being happy with the finished product, they scrapped what they had recorded, regrouped, and now come forth as an actual band, adding James Buttery on vocals and have embraced a more low-key, synth-pop sound.

Darkstar stood out from their dubstep compatriots by injecting warmth into a sound that can be overly minimal and harsh. "Aidy's Girl Is A Computer," which is featured on North, was a prime example. Over a skittering drum pattern, xylophone, computer treated vocals, and warm, analog synth patches, Darkstar created something organic out of something that could have been so cold.



"Aidy's" stands out like a sore thumb on the record, not because it is inferior or better than the other tracks on the album, but it is really not their sound anymore. It's still a wonderful track, but just seems like a pink elephant in the room. I either wish that had made an album that sounded more in that vein, or had left the track off altogether, because the album stands up all by itself.

Because North is a gorgeously produced, downtempo synth-pop album that could have been released 20 years ago and would not have sounded out of place. This is not a criticism, it is just a fact. There has been a lot of blog and internet talk about how North is disappointing because there are not 10 other Aidy's on here, but I think that sidesteps the point. If they were going to continue in that vein, what would have been the point of releasing a full album? They could have just released singles when they felt the need and built a steady career out of that trajectory. However, I think Darkstar want to work in the full length realm, and they know that they would have been severely limited in that capacity.

The change in their sound is very apparent from the first single "Gold," a cover of the old Human League B-side "(You Remind Me Of) Gold," building the track over a subtle drum program and buzzing synths, with an achingly distant, yet emotional vocal.



They subtly vary this formula over the other 9 tracks, creating a beautiful flow from beginning to end. From the delicate guitar work on "Deadness":



or the Asian-inspired percussion and Moog like synths on "Under One Roof"



The album is not all glacially paced. One of the highlights is the title track, with the drum programming seemingly taken from Portishead's "Machine Gun," and the music spiralling upwards almost overtaking the subtle voice of Buttery.



North is not all darkness though, "Dear Heartbeat," has a jaunty, waltz-like feel with a very warm vocal and piano melody.



And while I wish Buttery had a little more range with his vocals, there are gorgeous moments when he really brings forth some astonishing emotion amongst all the brittle electronics, like on the final track "When It's Gone."



Darkstar doesn't create anything completely innovative on North, but they have brought their own stamp and personality to a tried and true genre of music. I wish they could find a way to merge their former sound with the current synth-pop they are embracing. There is a definite need for a fresh take on it. But I will take an immpecibly produced genre piece over any of the bland stuff I have been hearing lately.

Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top albums of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not good; could have either been trimmed or polished.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.