GusGus: Mexico

Having started out nearly 20 years ago as a 12-strong Icelandic art collective creating techno tinged trip-hop and arty electronica, GusGus have slimmed down somewhat now consisting of long-term members Daniel Ágúst Haraldsson and Birgir Þórarinsson and recent recruit Högni Egilsson.

2014’s album Mexico is a hook-laden, dreamy and deep-house affair that both soothes and challenges the listener.

GusGus have always delighted in provoking their audiences and this they do on the opening track ‘Obnoxiously Sexual’, with frayed synths, skittering hi-hats and Högni Egilsson's provocative vocals "When you woke up, I guess you didn't know I would steal you from your girlfriend." This sets the tone for the remainder of the album.

'Another Life' has smooth and deep synth chords all washed in dreamy reverb punctuated by darting strings and chugging house beats. 'Crossfade' is an obvious highlight showcasing their adept production skills and song craft. A thumping 4/4 beat tailor-made for the dancefloor drives the swirling synths and propulsive bass for a brilliant clamp-and-stomp effect. 'Airwaves' has old-skool techno chords muted in a wash of effects creating an almost neo-soul feel to the song. It is heady and intoxicating as the vocals and synths swirl and mingle.

'God Application' is a dizzying electro-R&B treat while 'Not The First Time' sounds like it could have come from the minds of Underworld back in the mid-nineties.

Title track 'Mexico' is a dark and grungy electro-groover softened by synthetic washed strings and steadied by a solid no-nonsense 120bpm. Closing out with 'This Is What You Get When You Mess With Love' is a muted affair, eschewing the previously hypnotic beats for a softer more ambient feel.

This is an album of GusGus doing what they do best, steady house-beats, catchy synth riffs, sparkling production and challenging lyrics. I hope they don’t leave it too long before their next release.