Cut Copy continue consistent output with Zonoscope

Fresh from Australia, Cut Copy comes back to try to top the pure joy that was recorded in 2008. I personally never expected to hear an In Ghost Colours II, and Zonoscope isn’t following the same sound developed back then. Cut Copy’s newest release still stays true to the dance pop roots, but now it comes with pure ’80s synth powerpop additions mixed right into the music.
On the track’s opener, “Need You Now”, you are led in with a minute and a half electronic beat until a well timed synth loop comes in complete with perfectly placed fills. From then on out every song continues with the fresh from the ’80s feel as electronic blended sounds mix with incredibly rhythmic back beats. Dan Whitford’s voice carries through the album in that magical tone you expect in a techno song or early house music and while most songs on this album are slower than the norm for Cut Copy, Whitford does not sound of out place at all.
With intense bass lines like in the songs “Alisa”, “Blink and You’ll Miss a Revolution” and “Take Me Over” it is clear that Cut Copy has moved past the make-a-danceable-song mentality and now are really playing with the emotion you can feel from a song. Trust me, they are still danceable, but now they carry with them feelings and meaning.
“Where I’m Going” captures a feeling of summer freedom with a heavy drum line behind it. The longing echos and distant music really leaves a desire to see the sun again. “Pharaohs & Pyramids” puts the listener straight into the foundations of house music with keyboard bleeps and bloops, synthesized orchestral strings and programmed percussion and build into airy choruses and build ups.
Zonoscope is establishing a fact that has been building in our heads since 2008; Cut Copy can make great dance music. This album covers the wide spectrum of electronic pop while tossing unique sounds to make each track authentic in its own right. In 2011 we have been looking for something as fun as this while also taking away that it isn’t the cheesy electro of the early ’00s, Zonoscope covers that perfectly.

LISTEN: “Where I’m Going”

WPGU Music Staff Rating: W-P-G-½
Key Tracks: “Need You Now”, “Pharaohs & Pyramids” and “Blink And You’ll Miss A Revoluation”.
Recommended if you like: Holy Ghost!, Hercules & Love Affair & Chromeo.

W = Poor
W-P = Fair
W-P-G = Great
W-P-G-U = An instant classic!

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