Popular Damage - The Royal Fly

  by Adrian Huggins

published: 11 / 6 / 2010

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Review

Huge buzzing bass-lines and thumping 808 drums is the order of play with this Germanic duo known as Popular Damage. With common interests in Berlin’s post-rock and indie scene Stephan Hengst and Nadine Raihani shed the less exciting realms of guitar music and plummet into making some banging tunes and remixes here. My initial thoughts on the original song was that I was not 100% keen on Nadine’s vocals, as they felt a little bit eighties-tastic, but that’s purely my personal preference. What I do love about what Popular Damage are bringing to the table is the full on noise of their blend of electro dance-punk. The original version and ‘Fukk offf remix’ of ‘Everybody Got Young’ have a whiff of Daft Punk about them and are quite robotic and precise. The 'Double Dragon' remix and Easy Money tread closer to the MSTRKRFT side of things with a tiny hint of Bjork to the vocals, which is way more to my preference I may add. They are, however, deeper, darker and filthier which is a good, good thing. The sort of dance music that spits attitude and harks back to the spirit of punk rock – getting up there and doing it, not standing behind any pretences or trends. Evidently Popular Damage’s live shows are well in keeping with this as they perform the song with bass, guitars, synths and samples rather than just spinning records. It feels like on this EP that they have done a really job of catching the spirit and sound of their live performance. It is either that or they just have a really hot producer that has made them a mouth-watering prospect. Another nice little surprise on this disc is their remix of moody indie types the XX. Their song ‘Crystalised’ is given a whole different slant on here and while the original is a broody and patient masterpiece this version just has to be heard. It is completely different, heavy and loud, but it totally works. Trust me, I bet even the XX cracked a smile when they heard this. The other remix on here comes in the form of Zoot Women’s ‘We Won’t Break’ which again is rocking…in a really dancey way, Absolutely class. This is really exciting stuff which just shows how innovative and versatile electro music really can be.

Track Listing:-

1 Everybody Got Young (Double Dragon Remix)
2 Everybody Got Young (Original Mix)
3 Savvy In Newby (Original Mix)
4 Easy Money (Beatshaker And Blender Remix)
5 Easy Money (Original Mix)
6 Exclusive (Original Mix)
7 Everybody Got Young (Fukkk Offf Remix)