PICT009 Rudi Zygadlo “Achtung!”
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Planet MU‘s Rudi Zygadlo joins us for a one off release in the build up to his second album. Side A demonstrates Zygadlo’s quieter sensibilities, replete with live instrumentation, side B is an altogether more beat driven affair.
There is a distinct pop character running through all four tracks, though all the while Zygadlo fights it with unexpected twists and turns, general musical filigree and good humour, which lends itself to the narrative based musicality of the compositions. Title track, “Achtung!” is a pastiche dig at electro, with self-remonstrative lyrics exploring youth and materialism. The song culminates with, heavy organ chords stretched over a straight four beat (influences equally attributable to Justice or Chromeo). “The Deaf School” is possibly the track most in keeping with his previous work. It opens with an incredible wash of pulsating and darkly brooding synths which explosively modulate into the opening verse where Zygadlo displays a matured lyrical coherency in describing a composer’s neuroses concerning personal relationships and the loss of hearing. Dance-friendly stuff. Though, perhaps the highlight is the opener, Catherine; a lost beloved, a futile war and a motherless son. It is sung with an introspective sincerity, backed by decorative guitar and a fitting, nostalgic trumpet line.
“really really good stuff from Rudi Zygadlo, Variously Made Men is the name of the track. Reminds me in a way of the first Hot Chip album, Coming On Strong, there’s a similar sort of vocal style there that really had my brain thinking back to that” Jon Hillcock on BBC6Music
“the return of one of electronic music’s most interesting producers in a fine and elegant fashion.” Keith Pishnery, Sonic Router
“This new EP on Pictures Music is perhaps his most adventurous work to date, but it’s also the most fully formed; classic songwriting and innovative production conflate, creating a bold sound that’s as interesting as it is accessible.” Mercury Music Prize Recommends
“love that Rudi tune…such a groove” DJ Shox, RinseFM
PICT009 Rudi Zygadlo “Achtung!”
Release Date: 19th September 2011
Format: 12″ vinyl and MP3 download
Track Listing
Catharine
Variously Made Men
Achtung (Go Easy, Come Easy)
The Deaf School
Produced by Rudi Zygadlo
Design by Matt Chlebek, from a pencil drawing by Denise Zygadlo
Mastered at Finyl Tweek
Accordion – Ross Fleming
Trumpet – Gerry Mckeever
Press: SonicRouter(review) DiscoBelle, Abeano, Abeano2, ClashMusic, TLOBF(SongOfTheDay#311), TLOBF(SongOfTheDay#325), Chorus+Echo, CreamTeam, G.L.I.S.C.O, CanOfThought, GoodPopBadPop, ListenBeforeYouBuy, EarMilk, ElectronicBeats, BestInNewMusic, Hyponik, EarLab, AAAMusic, DumbBass, MusicVagabond, Sputnikas, BestInNewMusic, InhabitOnline, Limonadier, IDMInside, FreeDownloadMusicBlog.
Radio: GillesPetersonWoldwide, JonHillcock’sNewNoise (Twice), BBC6MusicTomRavenscroft, DeepGoaPodcast, RadioActive88.6FMNZ, KALX, RinseFM, JenLongBBCRadio1, AllyMcCraeBBCIntroducingInScottland.