Soundboy Rock by Groove Armada

Where once they held one of the many crowns of the electronic music scene, the long departed and almost forgotten Groove Armada return with the album Soundboy Rock to stake their claim once again in a genre fickly found at a state of perma-renaissance.

At the turn of the century Groove Armada was on top of their game with their music licensed to TV adverts, soundtracks etc. faster than the beats they were producing. Yet now as the game has changed, electronic music now a respected art form and not just merely a reason to “shake that ass”, the duo much like their former contemporaries (Chemical Brothers, Fat Boy Slim, Moby) have seen their most recent compilations fall on deft ears with their inability to evolve their big beat sound for the more sophisticated electronic audience. However with Soundboy rock, the duo has re-established themselves as influential players in the art form they once fostered.

Now this album is not a complete departure of the Armada sound. With echoes of “Superstylin” in the new track “Light Sonic”, and the ass shakability of the ipod advert ready “Things We could Share” old school Armada fans will not be left out. It is in the down tempo tracks that the London lads show their mastery at crafting atmospheric beats and lyrical arrangements using their self taught sophistication sure to be gained by many a club night come down and not the latest edition of mixing software. With current electronic darlings like Beruit and Buriel, whom themselves sample the house, big beat and drum and base techniques of the masters made mere moments ago, one would hope that one of the genres forefathers can still hold a place at the table they once built.

Stand out tracks:

Light sonic -This sound could easily open up to a cheap and accessible dance anthem but by saving that release for the remixes the continuous tension creates a blissful and flirtatious tease.

From the Roof Tops -Lucid beats and more then mellow sample of the Boy George 1989 Single “After the Love”; a hymn of thanks for their own foundations.