Mugwump - The Congregation of Discalced Clerks

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  • Mugwump hasn't found a reliable label home, but that's to be expected. Geoffroy Dewandeler and Olivier Gregoire's music is so varied that it's hard to pin them down to any one sound. Case in point: The duo's new EP, The Congregation of Discalced Clerks, for New York label Throne of Blood. The two tracks seemingly come from two completely different groups. The title track is bright Kompakt-esque pop, riding a percolating synth line to victorious ends. Reminiscent of prime-era Rex The Dog, it keeps the rhythm basic in order to make sure that the melody sticks in your head. Mission accomplished. "Concrete Skankin" is the more interesting of the pair, a throwback to the duo's Belgian New Beat past. Rough around the edges and clocking in at a healthy 130 BPM, there's a lot to digest: Reversed vocal samples, a synth line that recalls the classic sound of "Los Ninos del Parque," buzzing horns in the back. The duo have stuffed the tune to the brim, but break it down early and often for maximum impact. Mugwump may not be easy to figure out on a release-to-release basis, but they clearly have no problem adhering to the law of the dance floor each time out.
  • Tracklist
      A The Congregation of Discalced Clerks B Concrete Skankin
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