Renowned Chicago-based DJ, producer, electronic music artist and label exec Felix Da Housecat has a long-held reputation for producing and working on an eclectic mix of sounds and sub-genres within the larger umbrella of electronic music such as house music, electroclash, acid house, techno warrior, nu-skool electro-disco and others — and under a variety of aliases and personas including Mezcalateer, Thee Maddkatt Courtship, Aphrohead and Sharkimaxx.
“Ready 2 Wear” off his 2005 full-length release, Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever is a breezy, pop confection consisting of layers of shimmering arpeggio synths, a propulsive, heavy, bass line and anthemic hooks paired with plaintive, falsetto vocals. And sonically, the song clearly owes a debt to 80s synth pop — after playing the song several times, I was reminded of Tears for Fears “Head Over Heels,” Prince‘s “When Doves Cry,” and some more contemporary fare such as Paracosm-era Washed Out as the song possesses a subtle psychedelia.
San Francisco-based indie pop artist Mike Deni’s solo recording project Geographer has developed a reputation for crafting a thoughtful and deliberate sound that meshes blossoming synths with precise orchestral arrangements. And with the release of his critically praised, third, full-length effort, Ghost Modern through Roll Call Records earlier this year, Deni has expanded his profile towards greater national attention.
Interestingly, while taking some time off to write new material over the summer, Deni had recalled a cover/reworking of Arthur Rusell‘s “This Is How We Walk On The Moon,” and the cover was so inspiring to the San Francisco-based electronic music artist that he decided that he should work on an entire effort of covers — and the result was his forthcoming Endless Motion EP slated for a December 4 release through Roll Call Records. The EP will feature reworks of songs by New Order, Kate Bush, Paul Simon and Felix Da Housecat.
The EP’s first single is Deni’s cove/rework of Felix Da Housecat’s “Ready 2 Wear” retains the original’s shimmering arpeggio synths and propulsive bass-heavy feel while adding live drums which adds a subtle bit of heft to the song — without stripping the original’s dreamy plaintive feel. But an additional layer of what sounds like xylophone to the melody give the song an even dreamier sound, as though evoking a childhood lullaby from your youth.
