Teenage Mutants – Magic Anthem EP

Label: SuaraScore: 8/10

The rise and rise of Suara, as a label has been almost wholly dependent on their quality, yet accessible stance on techno, tech-house and house. What they do, they do very well indeed, and consistently too. What falls outside of their majority genres is pretty much an anomaly, but just occasionally such anomalies throw up serious records, the kind of tunes that are seeking attention and whether you like it or not, are destined to be noticed. Records such as Teenage Mutants & Purple Disco Machine’s The Path, which was a huge summer hit this year and one of the top Shazamed tracked in Ibiza.

The Teenage Mutants are back with another anomaly, an EP of two tracks that are diametrically opposed; the first deep and melodic and the second party-up-for-it. Perhaps the key to understanding the difference in approaches is to understand that both tracks are collaborations with EdOne & Bodden and the other with Lars Mosten. 

Anthem (with EdOne & Bodden) is a deep, throbbing slice of techno with lush female vocal snippets that is sure to strike a chord with those who love the kind of quality that Suara is known. The level of production is exceptional, soaring pads, tinkling percussion, detailed ambients and a bassline that growls like a wounded bear. Combined with the melody and accessibility of the vocal, the chugging bassline and layered arrangement you could easily see this being a deeper dancefloor mainstay for some time. 

Ironically the anthem of the package is Magic, a rip-roaring, cheeky nu-discoish cut based around the ever-popular Jimmy Bo Horn Spank sample and a male vocal that sounds like it could have come from Shorty Long’s Motown classic Function at the Junction. If you’re looking for another ‘The Path’ you’re not going to get it exactly but Magic isn’t far off with its infectious riff and catchy vocal set to the backdrop of house beats and nu-disco bassline. Considering the elements are pretty high-octane Teenage Mutants and Lars Molson do a great job of keeping the monster groove in check without it crossing over into a more suspect territory. All in all Magic is a great fun, whoop inducing slice of nu-disco crossover that’ll suit the bar, club pool and probably your i-pod/phone too. Another summer anthem? Probably. Now where did we put that summer?