Crooked Machine

2020年の最新アルバム『ROISIN MACHINE』収録曲のコラボレーション・リミックスを9曲収録したリミックス・アルバム。

Im already lost in the groove, Roisin Murphy sings at one point on Crooked Machine, and its hard to come up with a better description of this graceful, cleverly crafted expansion of 2020s excellent Roisin Machine. A set of reworkings helmed by that albums producer, Crooked Mans Richard Barratt, Crooked Machine is a true reinvention of its source material; these remixes arent just a couple of minutes longer than the original tracks, or updated with slightly different beats. Murphy lets Barratt have free rein -- a wise choice, considering that along with her wit and charisma, his production magic helped make Roisin Machine so striking. He rebuilds the tracks out of their subtlest elements (often stripping out Murphys lead vocals, save for the occasional verse or chorus) and goes deeper into the haunted, soulful dance sound he mastered on his own Crooked Man and Crooked House. Echo Returns, a musically and mythologically apt makeover of the storming Narcissus, sets its whispery vocals and massive sub-bass afloat in a galactic wash of dubby sounds. Less Is Mores title wittily acknowledges that its a minimalist take on Something More, yet its peaks are just as high and its momentum is just as irresistible as the originals are. Crooked Machines seamless mix may capture the foggy, sweaty, hypnotic glory of the dancefloor even more ably than its predecessor, but standouts like the surging opening track Kingdom of Machines and Crooked Madame (a playful revamp of Shellfish Mademoiselle) abound. Its a testament to Murphy and Barratts enduring creative chemistry that they continue to bring out the best in each other in unexpected ways: Assimilation, a tender, elegant reimagining of 2012s single Simulation, proves that the projects oldest track still has plenty of room for reinterpretation. Barratt goes further off-book with the jagged synth bass and wild keyboard solos that drive We Are the Law and the wobbly low end of Hardcore Jealousy, both of which have a risk-taking sense of fun. Moments like these make Crooked Machine possibly even more danceable than the original, as well as a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend more time in Roisin Machines world. ~ Heather Phares