Night Slugs Allstars, Vol. 1

Good for the DJs

     

Nightslugs is the dopest thing to hit dance music in quite a while, and this is generally a good compilation of their diverse sound. In particular, "Square One" is a total buttshaker, and "Wut" will make you say WUT!? As these tracks show, part of the Nightslugs' allure is that their sound (a) hasn't been reduced to some cookie cutter formula, and (b) depends upon CHANGES, something that most dance music has long since abandoned. These songs have parts and actually go places! WUT!?!

On the downside, it seems like the Slugs are trying to appeal to the dudestep fans a little too hard with this release, and so the track selection seems a bit weighted to the sleepier side of things (the mix of IRL is especially infuriating given how hard the original rocks). Moreover, who but DJs needs all these tracks unmixed? If you're like me and NOT a DJ, I'd recommend you google "Nightslugs" or "Bok Bok" or (especially) "Girl Unit" and take advantage of the many many free mixes these guys put out this year. (The Mishka mix is particularly sick.)

Whatever you do, peep Nightslugs and recognize that dance music is finally finally coming out of the lame doldrums that dubstep and "minimal" forced upon it. It's okay to get excited again, and Nightslugs are definitely exciting.