Album Corner: Soulwax – All Systems Are Lying

This is the second time I have talked about a Soulwax Album in this space. The first was about their 2005 remix album called Night Versions. Night Versions was the album that got me into Soulwax, when I first picked it up, nearly 20 years ago now.

For those new to the Belgian band Soulwax, the group is built around the core DJs and multi-instrumentalist Dewaele brothers Stephan and David, plus a rotating mix of members. Soulwax creates music that falls into an array of different genres, including disco, alternative (is that still a thing?), indie, punk, electronic, new wave, and more. Soulwax’s music comes off as a celebration of all of these different styles, yet also seems to push forward and innovate. Being inventive while paying homage to what came before may sound like a hard combination to pull off, but the Dewaele brothers and Soulwax make it look easy.

When I compare All Systems Are Lying to the rest of Soulwax’s oeuvre, there is a quiet evolution of the Soulwax sound. It is not as brash and grunge driven as their 1999 album Much Against Everyone’s Advice. It is not the interconnected noise and dance fest of Night Versions, and is more melodic than the percussion-driven From Deewee released in 2017.

All Systems Are Lying is fun, sometimes irreverent, but also a bit melancholy. It’s rock, punk and disco roots are quiet yet composed. The new wave synth and electronic parts of Soulwax are in here, but they somehow feel a bit more organic and real-instrument driven, harkening back to some tracks on their 2004 album Any Minute Now.

I am not yet certain where this album will reside in my personal music pantheon, but I am happy to keep listening and find out.

So, have a listen to the new Soulwax album. Or come on down to KWM when I am working – there is a good chance it will be playing on our stereo if I am here. I am doing my best to indoctrinate staff and customers using the sounds of Soulwax.

Cheers,

Evan

I wanna run free

With the music

Try not to fall down

It’s confusing

I wanna run free

When I choose it

Play the wrong chord

Say something stupid