Not every techno producer gets their own custom mascot created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, but then again not every techno producer makes a record as infectious as "Flat Beat". The fidget house anthem elevated Mr. Oizo and Flat Eric to household names after the music video and accompanying Levi's ad caught fire in Europe in 1999. Quentin Depieux is back with a new Mr. Oizo album, and Eric is back too, after being sacrificed on the cover of 2008's Lambs Anger. Depieux comes through with his signature raw, stripped-back burners ("Oiseaux", "Low Ink" & "Goulag Drums") in addition to more traditional 2nd-wave French house (read: Ed Banger) on "Ruhe" and "All Wet". "End Of The World" is a minimal breakbeat-laden ass shaker co-produced by Skrillex (is it just me, or is he actually turning into a sick producer?) and "No Tony" features French rapper Phra. Charli XCX lends vocals to "Hand In The Fire", a joint that should light up the EDM festival circuit and bottle service clubs. Oizo links with electroclash queen Peaches on "Freezing Out" and the result sounds something like trap or dubstep transmitted from a squat party in Williamsburg circa-2001. The album, on double vinyl with CD, comes in a gatefold sleeve featuring a still photo of what looks like a pixelated Flat Eric adhered to the side of a building, Space Invader style.

• black vinyl pressing
• CD included
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Ed Banger Records 2016

reviewed by Le Canard 02/2017