Club 8’s newest and eighth album, Above the City has taken the Swedish twee-pop duo into a more electronic and industrial direction. Club 8 has recently reclaimed their self-produced status under Johan Angergård’s label, Labrador Records, and their latest release has become a statement of their unique identity. Although Club 8 has introduced experimental elements to its music before, like Strangely Beautiful (2003), and The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Dreaming (2007), Above the City fully embraces its electronic side. And while a majority of the album has a distinctly house feel to it, there are still traces of their pop roots scattered among the tracks, as homage to the musical path that Club 8 has taken to success.
“Kill Kill Kill,” the album’s introductory track, instantly commands attention with its heavy beats, pipe-organ and ambient textures. Combined with Karolina Komstedt’s ethereal voice, the track creates an eerie but exciting sound combination between dark and light. Angergård’s production is high-energy and dynamic in “Stop Taking My Time” and “You Could Be Anybody.” “Run” is the most easily accessible track on the album; Komstedt’s vocals propel the song into charming and undeniable catchiness. “A Small Piece Of Heaven” and “I’m Not Gonna Grow Old” are a throwback to Club 8’s pop roots, that are so upbeat they risk becoming saccharine. Above the City ends with “Straight As An Arrow,” a spirited indie-rock track featuring enough dramatic stomping and backup chorus to sound like it was recorded in a massive arena. The energy and excitement that Club 8 conveys is carried through to the end.
Above the City draws from Club 8’s nearly 20 years of experience, while simultaneously branching out into the world of electronic music to create a combination that is varied and unique. And although so much variation can seem overwhelming or chaotic at first glance, themes such as Komostedt’s vocals, a nostalgically retro production, and up-tempo rhythms tie the album together. New listeners and long-time fans alike will appreciate Club 8’s ability to take risks with their sound without losing their sense of identity.
