LCD Soundsystem
American Dream

It has been quite a while since the last write-up and even longer since the last LCD Soundsystem album, hence I'm here to spread the word.

In 2010, that major album "This Is Happening" was released, where they cemented their success, if you can say so, but a year later mastermind James Murphy decided to end the project. Meanwhile, Murphy had the honor and privilege to work with David Bowie, collaborating on his swan song "Blackstar".
Four years after the breakup, they returned with a Christmas single in December 2015. Who knows if the conversations with the White Duke influenced the decision to return to activity in some way.

Preceded by the highly significant double single that included "Call The Police" and the title track "American Dream", the new album was finally released on September 1st.
As always, even though he was accompanied by some collaborators, James Murphy took on most of the roles: vocals, guitar, bass, drums, various percussion, piano and various synths, production, and mixing.
And although the sound hasn't changed substantially, the atmosphere surrounding the tracks is mostly darker, more melancholic, nostalgic.

In fact, the starting track "Oh Baby" presents all the characteristics just described: it only takes the first notes of the synth to take our minds back with memories, both personal and related to the creature LCD Soundsystem. It's the moment when you think: "They're finally back.".
But it's the title track that is permeated by the purest melancholy; a very emotional track, which would have been even more magical if Murphy’s idea had better timing. The good James had the fantastic idea of asking Leonard Cohen to add a spoken part at the end of the track, but unfortunately, Cohen died a few days after.

But the album is not "dull", contrary to what you might imagine from reading, because the energy does not fail at all.
The bomb single "Call The Police" is the clearest proof of this, a track where bass and drums never stop once they start. A bassline as simple as it is explosive and super effective, one that gets into your brain and shatters it.
In the said album, one can also notice how the role of the guitar is brought to a higher level compared to previous albums, especially when LCD Soundsystem is possessed by the spirit of Talking Heads (see "Emotional Haircut" or the final solo of "I Used To").
And the strong Dance influence, which is a cornerstone of the project, is not missing in the other single "Tonite" and "Other Voices", whose tail end is pure Techno reminiscent of some works by Underworld.
To conclude, one cannot miss mentioning Murphy's tribute to Bowie in the concluding, in turn, "Black Screen": 12 minutes of pure, moving relaxation, greatly influenced by Krautrock and the "Low" - "Heroes" - "Lodger" trilogy.

To cut it short: they are essentially still the same, but paradoxically they have brought a breath of fresh air.