If I was to jest at a juxtaposition of instrumental electro flavoured hip-hip with smatterings of Brian May then I doubt it would inspire resounding interest.
Through the medium of their fourth release, conveniently named LP4, Ratatat have crafted such a sound that’s as charming as it’s compelling. LP4 leans from stadium glam-rock to thumping electronic beats, navigating with ease through a territory usually inhabited by dead weight fusion bands. This is hardly an uncharted venture for Ratatat but there’s something more refined about LP4 compared to their earlier work, especially in the instrumentation. Cinematic string quartets feature amongst sultry but softly spoken German interludes whilst surrounded by Harpsichord and world music percussion.
Drugs
RATATAT | MySpace Music Videos
LP4 is also accompanied with a video for single ‘Drugs’. The video is a collection of seemingly over-enthused bleached teeth botox-smiles and hollow stares reminiscent of a 90’s toothpaste advert. As the narrative progresses the Hollywood smiles melt and each character descends into madness. Maybe there’s a moral behind this?
Words by Julian von Nehammer
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