NOISEY 095: METRONOMY

I usually hate saying things like this, but I think Metronomy just put out one of the best records of the year. Departing from the arty electro of their first recordings, the English Riviera is an economical collection of funked-out basslines and nostalgic pop gems. Still led by Joseph Mount, the band is well into its second decade and quickly becoming a pop institution.

The band picked up in the late nineties as a solo project. Mount had been a drummer for years, but started messing around with electronics and writing songs after moving to Brighton. The band’s first songs were influenced by the re-emergence of disco and electro—Mount soon recruited his cousin Oscar Cash and a friend named Gabriel Stebbing and relocated to London.

The band has grown up since the release of their debut, Pip Paine (Pay the £5000 You Owe), one of the best-named records of 2006—the album takes its name from threatening notes left around town by a car wrecker in Mount’s hometown. The record was lumped in, perhaps unfairly, with the new-rave movement of the mid-2000s. They’ve grown organically since then, and Mount’s earned a rep as one of the hottest remixers around, providing killer dance-floor bait for heavy hitters like Lykke Li, Franz Ferdinand, and Gorillaz.

Following the release of their second record, Gabriel left the band to form Your Twenties. This was a catalyst for a rethink; out went the wonky and in came stronger melodies and a more delicate approach to percussion. They kicked off 2011 with two new recruits, Anna Prior on drums and bassist Gbenga Adelekan. The new live set up is punctuated by bizarre synchronized dance moves and matching costumes accessorized by blinking lights.

“I think it’s important to put some kind of feeling into music,” says Mount, “whether it’s instrumental music or otherwise.” It’s that personification of the band’s songs that’s helped them make such a vital connection with their audience.