Big Face: “I Wanna Be A Style Crusader”
For a minute there, I thought Kitsune might have lost it. In the first half of 2006 it seemed like they were on the scene with a new killer release every week, whether it was debut singles from Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco and Klaxons, or that bomb-ass Boys Noize remix 10″ of “Banquet” and the unimpeachable first two installments of their Kitsune Maison compilations. But then things kind of slowed down with a string of not-all-that-amazing releases and a very disappointing third compilation in the Maison series, and it seemed like Kitsune might take a permanent backseat to Ed Banger in the French house scene. Now all of a sudden their back, with hot releases from the Teenagers, Yelle, two new excellent compilations (Maison 4 and Kitsune BoomBox) and this excellent debut from Glasgow dance-rockers Big Face.
While it’s not quite on par with some of the more flawless debuts (see: “Gravity’s Rainbow”) issued last year on Kitsune, “I Wanna Be A Style Crusader” isn’t exactly anything to scoff at either. Rather, it’s a promising debut featuring slick production, hot basslines and a cooler-than-cool vocal delivery that climaxes in a certifiably bad-ass chorus about, what else - the pursuit of fashionable excellence. And yeah, I’m not totally sure what exactly defines a style crusader, but I’m pretty sure I’d take it as a compliment if I were described as such. Either way though, you’ll be hard-pressed to get that “Funny how you go about your style” refrain and those backing “oh whoa-oh-ohs” out of your head anytime soon and Big Face are definitely a band to keep an eye on in 2008.
But hey, want something to really lose your shit for? As with any Kitsune release, the single comes backed with some most excellent remixes, this time courtesy of David E. Sugar and DatA. David E. Sugar’s remix pedigree in 2007 has been nigh-on impeccable - I mean, have you heard his Rumble Strips edit? - but it’s French up-and-comer DatA who totally steals the show on this one. Sure, the original mix of “Style Crusader” is great, but there’s just a little something missing that keeps it from hitting quite as hard as it could and being the dancefloor anthem it really should be. Thankfully DatA rolls up on the remix and makes up for that in spades. Transposing a shimmering synth line over the track and maximizing the beat to really get your blood pumping, he builds his remix around that aforementioned refrain and brings the “whoa-oh-ohs” higher in the mix for a totally addictive, totally awesome new take on what was already an excellent track. There was definite gold buried somewhere in the original, and you better believe DatA has mined the shit out of it here. And so when all is said and done we have another fine example of your classic French single release: Buy it for the original, stay for the remixes.
STREAM: “I Wanna Be A Style Crusader” - Big Face
MP3: “I Wanna Be A Style Crusader” (DatA Remix) - Big Face [Alternate Link]
The Big Face crew were also nice enough to send me another unreleased track for your downloading pleasure. “Big Face Rides The Back Seat” is a little bit longer, a little big bigger, a little bit harder than “Style Crusader” and only builds on the promise displayed on their debut. Most definitely worth your time; get at it below.
MP3: “Big Face Rides The Front Seat” - Big Face [Alternate Link]