French Horn Rebellion - Classically Trained

French Horn Rebellion
Classically Trained
2016
Spotify

Disco is alive and well and French Horn Rebellion can prove it. The Nu-Disco movement has been bubbling out of Brooklyn the past few years with bands like The Knocks and others embracing the once maligned genre and finding all the joy and straight up dance vibes that are so integral a part of these songs. The fusion of 80s synth with disco basslines makes for something not entirely new, but totally satisfying. There is this constant sense of getting away with something when you listen to this record, like you should not be allowed to listen to this in public, but then the dance beat takes over and any concern fades away. "The Right Time" one of the first singles and the first track sets the bar high with an infectious beat and groove that does not quit. You'd think they would not be able to keep up this pace but each new track but time after time the next song "duplicates, then elaborates" (Bowie, Zoolander). The Bass is essential for this style of music and French Horn Rebellion use it to great effect. "Oh Sara!" has this slap bassline that takes what would otherwise be just a sweet little love song and elevates it into something that is much more diverse and exciting.

"Day by Day" is the first time we really see them stretch their electronic legs and this glitchy track featuring Pink Flamingo Rhythm Revue really really cooks. It is not the best track on the album but the fact that French Horn Rebellion named a track "Michael McDonald" just goes to show how much fun they want you to have with them. French Horn Rebellion's major goal throughout their career has been to bridge the electronic and disco gap, but also to bring a lightness to dance music that has been absent for awhile. Where most DJs take themselves very serious, French Horn Rebellion get that music can be silly and still be great. "Marching Punks" basically an anthem for everyone who was in some way or another in the school band during High School, flips the music they may have played at that time and given them something weird, technical and percussive to jam out to in 2016. The song itself is off the wall and odd, yet has something that keeps you intrigued. There is just so much going on this record that all focus is thrown out the window, but shockingly to great effect. You want these brothers to be weird and to try new things because if they don't who will? Classically Trained is refined and technical, but it is done through this dance prism that you simply cannot miss. Get out there and shake your ass to some French Horn Rebellion.

8.3 out of 10