Mathias Modica aka Munk is ready with his third album, The Beat and the bird. The DJ, multi-instrumentalist and producer releases his album on Gomma Records, the label he co- founded and which is known for quality dance music. He’s basically Germany’s James Murphy, and even though James didn’t participate this time, big players like Etienne de Crecy, Alex Gopher, and Jan Driver (Boys Noize) shared the production credits. The all-rounder himself performs on everything from piano, synths, xylophones, bass, guitars and drum machines. He’s a big player like Burt Bacharach; handpicking twelve present-day female singers from around the globe, including Lou Hayter of New Young Pony Club, and the result is an eclectic journey through 14 funky discofied indie Pop songs.

The album opens like a jazzy old school Hip Hop track, and then moves into Nu-disco and New Wave territory with oil pans and breaks with sampled choruses. Single and standout track “La Musica” follows; an up-tempo Italo disco gem with irresistible bass, dark distorted vocals, electronic piano and 80s synths. “No Moon (Over Kuala Lumpur)” is pop bliss with 90’s Dance and Piano House esthetics. Another single, “Violent Love,” floats on melancholic Funk, and keep it in the late 90’s with the sound of French House (Etienne de Crecy, Alex Gopher anyone?). His latest single “Keep My Secret,” is a mid-tempo Disco-rock song, textured with Kraut-rock flavors and naive vocals. The Kraut influences continue on “Kitchen Call” – it starts off with psychedelic vibes, and then transforms into Japanese sounding Pop. “Mis Labios” is a great 4/4 Italo House tune with Latin pianos and seducing female vocals that easily puts the dancefloor in a trance. “Tipsy” is a slow and Sunny Prince-esque Pop track, it makes you wanna slap a bass. The list goes on, every track is worth analyzing, but it’s not all about having fun on the dancefloor, a delicate track like “So Close” shows vulnerability, it’s Space Pop from Space Discos point of view.

The Beat and the bird is a perfect pre-spring, sunny summer teaser, jam-packed dance-inducing collection of colorful pop songs. Lyrics in multiple languages meets unique musical extravaganza, and together they offer an early contender to album of the year. An album without musical trends, and a blueprint to the many shades of Disco.

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