Just picture yourself going to the counter of your favoured record shop (if you still buy records in person, that is) and actually asking for this record. If you can get through this hypothetical scenario without inwardly cringing, chances are it will find its way into your collection whether you want it or not, via commercial osmosis. Groove Armada, you see, are not cool. Most people justifiably blame that Renault Megane campaign, but the truth is that they just fell in with the wrong crowd – namely the ‘chill-out’ crowd, with their three-wheeled buggies and well-meaning boutique festivals.
This comeback album aims to change all that, yet without alienating anyone. Like Basement Jaxx, their partners in dubiously fashionable stadium disco, the Armada have moved into more dissonant, ragga-tinged electro waters. The knowingly beefed-up sound has sufficient sophisticated twists to make it palatable to the Big Chill generation (see ‘What’s Your Version?’) and a broad-ranging cast of collaborators : a guest slot from Simian Mobile Disco (‘The Things We Could Share’) to prove they’re still down with the kids, Tony Allen to assure you of their chops and Mutya Sugababe (‘Song 4 Mutya’) to show they still want to sell some records. If you’re after a bit of shameless dancefloor frippery, this album does the job. If you’re after something to impress the neighbours with, though, you’re best off with the latest Ed Banger compilation.
