Gus Gus - Arabian Horse (2011)

One of my longtime favorite groups, Icelandic dance collective GusGus is set to return this spring with new album Arabian Horse. This will be the group’s seventh album, and their second release on Kompakt Records.

Kompakt is touting this as a “return to form” for the collective, noting that the album will feature not only mainstay members President Bongo, Biggi Veira and Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson but also the return of Urður “Earth” Hákonardóttir plus guest spots from Högni Egilsson of Hjaltalin and DAVÍÐ ÞÓR JÓNSSON.

The group’s last album, 2009′s 24/7, saw a rejuvenated Gusgus exploring the sounds of dark, minimal techno, and feeling right at home within the Kompakt roster. The group has always been something of a chameleon though; over the course of 6 albums Gusgus have explored numerous electronic genres, from downtempo and trip-hip, to house and techno, consistently reinventing themselves with new sounds and an ever-changing line-up. Regardless of who is featured on the record, or whatever genre they may be trying on, they always seem to retain a very specific quirkiness that is always undeniably theirs.

If this new album is indeed a “return to form,” I hope it sees the band revisit some of their trip-hop/downtempo roots. While I have certainly kept up with the band throughout their career, and have always enjoyed each new album, I do have to admit that their first two albums, the frosty downtempo of Polydistortion and funky electro-pop of This is Normal, will always remain my favorites of their catalogue.

TRACKLIST
01. Selfoss
02. Be With Me
03. Deep Inside
04. Over
05. Within You
06. Arabian Horse
07. Magnified Love
08. Changes Come
09. WhenYourLover's Gone
10. Benched