REVIEW: Arcade Fire – “Reflektor” + VIDEO LINKS

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:

“Turns out you were just a reflektor,” goes part of the lyrics to Arcade Fire’s new single, the much-hyped “Reflektor.”  (Among other things, they cleverly commissioned several works of graffiti art all over the globe baring the song’s title, generating lots of word of mouth and online chatter.)  I’m not entirely sure what they mean by that, but I can tell you what “Reflektor” reflects: ’70’s disco.  Which shouldn’t come as a huge surprise when you consider that it was produced by James Murphy, the man otherwise known as LCD Soundsystem.  The band clearly tapped into his creative well when writing and producing the track.  (I’m assuming that he co-wrote it with them.)  And boy did it pay off.  I’m sure some of their die-hard Arcade Fire fans will call it a sell-out, but I would rather say it’s a great leap forward for them artistically.  The band could have easily played it safe and made another album in the vein of their first few records, but they clearly sought to expand their horizons as true artists and did something that’s entirely experimental, if not downright whimsical.  The result is the shortest 7:34 song you’ll ever hear.  It actually feels like you’ve just listened to a three and a half minute pop song when it’s over.  I’ve had it on repeat for the past 40 minutes at the time of this writing and I’m liking it — no, loving it — more and more with every listen.  I keep noticing things I didn’t notice before each time I hear it.  It’s so full of details.  Obviously, the rolling disco percussion and funky disco bassline are what leap out at you, but there are all sorts of other things going on, too.  Clever little loops, horns, synthesizers, a bit of banjo, etc.  It seems they sought to take everything from Murphy’s world and their own world and come up with a song that, well, reflects all of it.

And, I must say, I really love the French vocals.  She does a fine job with those.  They also provide a nice contrast to the raw lead vocals.

Below is the Youtube/normal version of the video for Arcade Fire’s new single “Reflektor,” but you can also go to http://reflektor.arcadefire.com/and participate in an interactive version of the video.  Additionally, you can stream the song at https://www.justareflektor.com/

Arcade Fire’s new album, which will be released on October 29th, was recorded with LCD Soundsystem’s mastermind James Murphy at his own DFA Studios in New York City.

Youtube info:

Published on Sep 9, 2013


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