Somewhere between the French electronica of Daft Punk and the nostalgia of Kraftwerk sits the intriguing sound of Bot’Ox. A collaboration from Benjamin Boguet (alias Cosmo Vitelli) and Julien Briffaz (half of Tekel), Bot’Ox plays like a love letter to the golden ages of New Wave and late 90s electronic music.

There are several distinct sounds and influences bubbling to the surface on Babylon By Car. The opening track “Motor City” gently builds to a rolling crescendo of cascading synths that would blow up any rave circa 1998 but is followed by the post punk vibes of “Bearded Lady Motorcycle Club.” The album is nothing if not varied, switching from graceful electronica like “Blue Steel” and “Rue De l’Arsenal” that seems to pay homage to some long lost John Carpenter flick, over to industrial influenced moments like “Overdrive.” The combination doesn’t always work but the album is definitely interesting. There are plenty of moments that hit the sweet spot, updating a classic sound with pure reverence and creativity.

- Norman Mayers

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