Hyperdrama

2016年に発表された『ウーマン』以来、約8年振りとなる待望の新作

先行でリリースされたダブル・シングル、「One Night/All Night (Starring Tame Impala)」と「Generator」に象徴されている様に、ディスコ/ファンク、エレクトロニック、ハードコアテクノ等の様々なジャンルが共存しながらも、それぞれが競い合っているような世界を表現した作品
■Black Vinyl

Ever since their early singles, Justice have challenged expectations, and on Hyperdrama, they show no sign of stopping. Given that eight years separate this album and its predecessor, Woman, it could be assumed that Gaspard Auge and Xavier de Rosnay were ready to take dancefloors by storm once again, but on Hyperdrama, atmosphere is king. The duo recorded the album at de Rosnays home studio, and it often sounds like dance music for a night in; on "Dear Alan," vinyl-like crackles permeate drifting clouds of synths and intricate bass. At other times, the album feels strangely distant, like music coming from a club a few blocks away, as on the aptly named "Afterimage," where RIMONs breathily pretty vocals heighten the tracks overall wispiness. Tame Impala brings enough presence to both "Neverender" and "One Night/All Night" to lend some momentum to their blurry grooves. Justice dials up the energy when Miguel comes in loud and clear on the new jack-tinged "Saturnine" and Thundercat presides over the moody disco-funk of "The End," while "Generator"s looming synth riffs, choppy textures, and rolling rolling show that they can reinvigorate their signature style without relying on played-out buildups and breakdowns. ~ Heather Phares

Ever since their early singles, Justice have challenged expectations, and on Hyperdrama, they show no sign of stopping. Given that eight years separate this album and its predecessor, Woman, it could be assumed that Gaspard Auge and Xavier de Rosnay were ready to take dancefloors by storm once again, but on Hyperdrama, atmosphere is king. The duo recorded the album at de Rosnays home studio, and it often sounds like dance music for a night in; on "Dear Alan," vinyl-like crackles permeate drifting clouds of synths and intricate bass. At other times, the album feels strangely distant, like music coming from a club a few blocks away, as on the aptly named "Afterimage," where RIMONs breathily pretty vocals heighten the tracks overall wispiness. Occasionally, Hyperdramas haziness works in its favor: Tame Impala brings enough presence to both "Neverender" and "One Night/All Night" to lend some momentum to their blurry grooves. However, when Miguel comes in loud and clear on the new jack-tinged "Saturnine" and Thundercat presides over the moody disco-funk of "The End," its undeniable that the albums energy level surges. Likewise, "Generator"s looming synth riffs, choppy textures, and rolling rolling show that Justice can reinvigorate their signature style without relying on played-out buildups and breakdowns. Fun sonic flourishes abound, like the heady call-and-response of "Incognito" or the winding melody that gives "Explorer" a phantom of the discotheque vibe, but ultimately, Hyperdrama is neither catchy enough to play to the duos pop strengths nor bold enough to highlight Justices experimental skills. That it doesnt leave much of an impression compared to the rest of Auge and de Rosnays work might be the most unexpected thing about it. ~ Heather Phares

フレンチ・エレクトロの雄による8年ぶりの4作目。資料などではやたら〈ディスコ×ガバ〉というキーワードが打ち出されているが、もともと彼らはエレガントなストリングスとブリッとしたベースラインにホラーなシンセを重ねることで作家性を確立してきたがゆえに、本作で劇的な新機軸を掴んだという印象はない。むしろ2曲に参加のケヴィン・パーカーを筆頭に、コナン・モカシン、ミゲル、サンダーキャット、MGMTを思わせる双子デュオのフリンツらゲスト・ヴォーカルの布陣に通じるサイケ感が肝ではないだろうか。ガバという意匠は、その甘美なメロウネスを引き立てるスパイスに過ぎない。
bounce (C)田中亮太