DFA US Vinilo y CD

Review: JJ Ulius, solo exclave of the bands Monokultur and Skiftande Enheter, shares his third solo LP for Mammas Mysteriska Jukebox and DFA Records. Volume III continues his brand of quirky, Mellotronic, flauneuristic indie. With Ulius described as a "world-building artist" by DFA, and his album as a "big step forward" compared to the earlier two volumes in this LPs series, this balming collection of tunes is a paean to personal maturation, and to feelings of restlessness mellowed by slowmo days. With each song written over beats played in by Tor Sjoden of the wild-eyed Stockholm group Viagra Boys, these are beats that were themselves inspired by tracks by Patrick Cowley, CAN, Count Ossie, Black Devil Disco Club and others, in all of whom Julius would find inspiration.

Review: The latest awakening from DFA Records hears James Murphy and company lift but a single little finger, precipitating an avalanche of anticipation, as this is their first material in three years. First premiering on NTS to clamorous acclaim, the band's first release since 2022 comes with minimal promo text, and packs bubbling synths with grinding drums, creating a familiar yet refined sound. Echoing the band's early style, it now comes on an exclusive 12" inverted by the 'Extended Trash Can Dub', which brings found, street-larked spring-sound, and vision-questing whispers, to a stomping indie romp, a potentiality promised but not entirely delivered by the original track.

Review: Wearing 1980s synth pop influences on their sleeve, and sounding exactly like they belong on the mighty DFA, Brooklyn's Light Asylum were rightly praised at the time they put out their debut - and, to this date - only studio album, circa 2012. Critics noted that, at a time when dance-punk crossover was everywhere, driven by LCD Soundsystem and many of the acts frontman James Murphy signed to DFA, the New Yorkers manage to differentiate themselves from the pack in several ways.

Taking a hint of Depeche Mode (well, maybe a bit more), a pinch of Nine Inch Nails, and parts of Throbbing Gristle, Gary Numan, and other pioneers, Light Asylum managed to introduce some much-needed light and spatiality into the often claustrophobically dark and oppressive industrial synth world. In doing so, they offer a sound that's somehow both universally accessible and niche, which is never an easy line to tread.

Review: DFA presents a special 12" release from New York's no wave pioneers, Liquid Liquid, paying tribute to the band's profound influence on the label. This double A-side features revitalized versions of their iconic tracks. The first side offers a dynamic rendition of 'Bellhead,' recorded by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy in 2004. It's an intense percussive journey, overflowing with marimba, drums, and an array of bells, transforming the original's laid-back groove into a vibrant, energetic workout. On the flip side, we have an unreleased version of 'Optimo,' re-recorded by Liquid Liquid in 2008 and then remixed by Glasgow's Optimo (Espacio), the duo named in homage to the track.

Review: DFA Records prime mysterious new Brighton signees Proper Monday Number with a sure start, flicking the proverbial Rube Goldberg machine into gear with a banging remix of their otherwise unreleased debut track 'High Horse'. Here, of course, it's LCD Soundsystem / DFA's very own James Murphy at the remix controls, together with resident DFA DJ and "decent human" Matt Cash. Toolroom dance moods extend over a lusciously simple seven minutes, bringing home FM stabs and LinnDrum faceslaps aplenty. And the lyrics: "stop what you're doing now... you ain't got no crown! get off your high horse! turn this ship around!" In our day and age, we need more anti-stagnation, ego-teardown anthems like this, so we welcome the sentiment by the masked duo.

Review: Proper Monday Number is one of Brighton's most acclaimed electronic duo and here it teams Suzi Horn of cult DFA's Prinzhorn Dance School with producer Christoph Boseley. Their Deep Clean Your House EP packs five sharp, DIY dance-pop tracks into a tight 15 minutes of no filler, all fire heat for the 'floor. Mixing mid-2000s electro, bassline and a touch of nostalgia for 90s house vibes, it channels the gritty energy of your teenage bedroom's busted speakers. But this isn't just a throwback, it's a fresh, cynical-smashing blast of attitude and energy. Fun served up with a serious purpose that cannot fail to energise you to your core.