The electro-beep wonder group that is Metronomy are about to land with a brand new album called Summer 08 and from the sound of the lead single it might just be the most stylish record from the band to-date. Brilliant live and with an impressive back catalogue, Metronomy has built up a strong reputation for mind-melding music, quietly delivering great electronica since Joseph Mount kick started things back in 1999.
If you’re not familiar with them, you should meditate with a little premium Estonian lager and a bowl of Twigglets on the concept of a British equivalent of Animal Collective meets Daft Punk. For everyone else, you should know exactly what we’re talking about and already be holding out hope, much as we are, that guitarist Mount and the rest of the band will also be announcing some tour dates to support the arrival of the album in the not too distant future.
Release date
The new record has been confirmed for a release date of the 1st July 2016 and it’ll be available on CD, digital download and LP vinyl, along with a delux box set, which includes the 180g 12” LP in black vinyl, bonus 10” clear vinyl, CD, signed photo, lyric Poster and a large vinyl Metronomy sticker. Summer 08 will be the band’s fifth original studio album release, following up on the success of Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe), Nights Out, The English Riviera, and Love Letters.
Singles
Lead single, Old Skool, makes for a fine-tuned return for the band with funk and wide ranging electro weaving around each other to build out the track. While it starts out pretty neat and stylish in the the first section of the song, it moves closer and closer to epic anarchy from the instrumental breakdown around the halfway point.
The lyrics are avant-garde with pseudo-surreal overtones and a deprecating wit, seemingly discussing a banal breakup of soulless individuals. The video emphasises this, featuring an old school dinner party hosted by a mixed up family with what looks like a combination of bankers, twitchers and spice girls for guests. It’s art pop electronica at its best.
There are similarities to Hot Chip, but it suits Metronomy well, building on the more instrumental nature of earlier albums with smart lyrics and world music influences. It’s not as conventionally catchy, but it’s just as ice cold with a pin sharp delivery and cool video, which you can check out below.
First impressions
Old Skool is probably too cutting to be as massive as sublime electro funk track Get Lucky, but it acts as a pretty good indication for great things from the rest of Summer 08. When you also add in the quality of Metronomy’s previous albums, it’s probably fair to hold out high expectations for the upcoming album release.
