Volume 5 of über-cool French label Kitsune’s ‘maison’ compilation brings us a eclectic mix of both indie and dance and a fair part of the grey area in between. With established names like M.I.A., Digitalism, Fisherspooner & Late of the Pier sitting along side soon to be massive names such as David E. Sugar, Gentlmen Drivers, Tepr and Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya, this is not your basic ‘Top 10 tracks of the year’ mix tape.
Another difference is that it's not actually mixed. Which in my honest opinion is a step forward. If I’m buying a mix CD from a DJ I expect it to be mixed, but when getting a selection of tracks from a label I like the idea that I can DJ out with them and not need to buy the same tracks over again. Definitely a forward thinking move on the labels part in the age of falling CD sales.
Perhaps before getting down to the nitty gritty of the music, I feel I should mention that Kitsune really do put a lot of effort into the artwork behind their CDs. First off with Kitsune’s signature many faces style but also with the printing. With my vague awareness of printing costs I know it isn’t cheap making an album that uses metallic ink but none the less here it is. Its this attention to detail that in my opinion makes Kitsune stick out.
As for song selection this is another area in which Kitsune does really well. Everything flows really well together, with enough new tracks to keep you interested well select big-uns prevent it from sounding too off the wall. Highlights of the album include Alan Braxe’s hip- hop gone electro banger - 'Addicted'. Its comes across sounding like what would happen if Timbaland was actually a middle class white kid from Berlin.
Pin Me Down’s 'Cryptic' provides a nice little rock pop number for the indie kids. On the other side of the spectrum Silverlink’s remix of M.I.A.’s XR2 is nothing but oldschool rave. Probably the most out there track of the album but still holds up to its ‘Kicks Like A Mule' moniker.
Special Mention Goes to the Gentlemen Driver’s take on The Teenagers' 'Homecoming'. To be honest I really did not like the original, It seemed a bit to ‘Look at me, im using naughty words’ for my tastes. The Drivers manage to take the song and run with it, giving it a nifty little breakdown that makes it a whole lot catchier.
One track I don’t really like is KID’s – 'I'll Never Know'. It sounds a bit like a cheap knock off of Frankmusik The cut up / heavily staccato synths and vocals sounds as though its an attempt at being catchy but just comes across as being annoying.
Overall the album brings a nice selection of tracks from both the established and up and coming artist. With plenty of unobvious choices thrown in that have not already been bloged about a million times before. With an exceptionally low ratio of filler for a compilation album Kitsune Maison Vol 5 is an album I would easily recommend.
Track Listing
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1. Best Revenge - Fischerspooner
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2. Broken - Late Of The Pier
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3. Addicted - Braxe, Alan
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4. To Yourself - Sugar, David E.
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5. Cryptic - Pin Me Down
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6. XR2 - MIA
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7. Homecoming - Teenagers
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8. Pardon Garcon - AutoKratz
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9. Pogo - Digitalism
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10. Aerius Light - Data
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11. Let's Make Out - Does It Offend You Yeah
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12. Circulate - Rex The Dog
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13. Fuck Friend - Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya
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14. On Board - Friendly Fires
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15. I Wanna Be A Style Crusader - Big Face
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16. I'll Never Know - Kid
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17. To Cut A Long Story Short - Cazals
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18. A Cause Des Garcons - Yelle
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