Todd Terje - Strandbar

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  • Todd Terje has been on something of a roll since Running Back released Ragysh in 2011. That EP had two bona-fide butt-shakers (the title cut and "Bonysh") and an arrestingly sensitive groove that primed thousands for a post-rave snog ("Snooze 4 Love"). It was his most accomplished release to date—until It's The Arps dropped the next January and established him as both a master synth-tweaker and, with "Inspector Norse," a producer willing to go there in a way very few are these days. Maximalist and unyieldingly upbeat, "Inspector Norse" dove head-first into an Olympic-sized vat of cheese, but its appeal was undeniable. Strandbar, the follow-up, dials back a little—emphasis on a little. None of the three versions presented here overwhelm the senses the way "Inspector Norse" did, but they take you someplace similar. "Strandbar (Samba)" brings you up gently, setting the pace as the main hook gurgles up through the mix. When it lands in earnest, it'll feel familiar: plenty of producers have plunked out similar chords through the years, but Terje makes a dazzling modulation at a critical moment. A second version, "Strandbar (Disko)," doesn't bother with easing-in: it grabs hold of your belt and drags you right into the thick of it. It's a pretty demanding workout, so Terje smartly gives us a cool-down near the finish. "Strandbar (Bonus)," devoid of the main mixes' brash melody, feels a bit like the vegan option—order if you must, but when presented with two self-evident summer anthems, why not go all in?
  • Tracklist
      A Strandbar (Samba) B1 Strandbar (Disko) B2 Strandbar (Bonus)
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