Album Review: Midnight Juggernauts – Uncanny Valley
First forming in 2004, Melbourne alt. electronica trio Midnight Juggernauts return with their third full-length, Uncanny Valley, this month. It comes off the back of their 2007 debut album, Dystopia, and its 2010 successor, The Crystal Axis, which won the Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR) for Best Independent Dance/Electronica Album. In the interim, they’ve been touring throughout Europe and Australia, playing at festivals including Lovebox and remixing tracks from Cut Copy and Dragonette.
‘Ballad of the War Machine’, the first single from Uncanny Valley, sets a psychedelic atmosphere from the very beginning with an old organ sample and retro 60s synth patterns floating in the background. The vocals of Vincent Vendetta are flawless, almost resembling Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees in the process. The chorus is like taking an enchanting ride back in time and dancing in a mystical land, all the while the resonating effects and steady drumbeat create an amazing soundtrack for the journey.
‘Systematic’, meanwhile, is more indie pop inclined with attention-capturing bass lines that bring to mind Franz Ferdinand. Its constant reverb-laden guitar riffs, and crashing cymbals cultivate a perfect combination of Justice meets Muse. ‘Melodiya’ has a similar effect but is more dance-oriented: fusing intricate keys and complicated bass parts that resemble The Temptations’ ‘Papa Was a Rolling Stone’.
‘Memorium’, the most recent track to be released from Uncanny Valley, picks up where ‘Ballad of the War Machine’ left off. It begins on a swanky, simple beat combined with the smooth vocals of Vendetta. The various audio samples of 70s disco-like beats are barely a stone’s throw from ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ and the work of French pop band Yelle, but with a mysterious and yearning feeling. Uncanny Valley with all its upbeat dance tracks is another great triumph for Midnight Juggernauts. Since stepping out of the gate in 2004, they have never failed to create music that’s diverse and ever-changing, and Uncanny Valley – like much of what has passed before it – is a joy to listen to.
– Jess Edwards
