Studio: “No Comply”
So things have been (and may continue to be, I’m afraid) a bit quiet around here this week as I’m on spring break and traveling Europe (Prague->Berlin->Barcelona->Maorca) until the end of the month, but I’ll be doing my damnedest to drop in with periodic updates and I’ve got my polaroid camera (just to make sure things stay extra hipster) and my full library of music with me so I’ll see what I can do. At the very least I’m leaving you with “No Comply”, one of the best and most overlooked tracks of 2007, which was slotted at #15 on my ill-fated Top 50 Singles of 2007 list, but somehow has gone unmentioned on these pages until now. I’ve been listening to it damn near on repeat recently and it’s undoubtedly worthy of your attention especially considering how underheard and underpraised this shit was last year, so be sure to get at it below.
2007 saw Studio quietly establish themselves as one of the most promising acts in the vast Scandinavian electronic music scene, with “No Comply” standing out as the group’s masterwork to date. Accessing the same place occupied by Royksopp’s “Eple”, the song is a lesson in blissful escapism, bouncing along on a sunny melody that makes the track a curious export from a region that will go without sunlight for weeks during those long Scandinavian winters. This is the kind of thing you’d expect if the next big electronic scene popped up in Bermuda, but regardless of its origin it was one of the absolute best tracks of last year and a big reason you won’t be forgetting Studio’s name any time soon.
Like their fine remixes, “No Comply” showcases Studio’s unique balearic sound and expansive production style, the duo’s knack for breathtaking atmospheric soundscapes and decidedly low-key instrumentals setting them apart from the rest of the pack in the crowded Scandinavian electronic scene. There are vocals here, but whereas their excellent Kylie Minogue and Shout Out Louds remixes are driven by the originals’ vocal structures, it’s the consistently-evolving instrumental of “No Comply” that dictates the where to song will flow to next, the chorus owing it’s success far more to its brilliant downward spiral of shimmering guitars than the repeating “It’s all in good time…” refrain. The pristine instrumental would have ensured the song success even without vocals, though the lead vocal here proves its value in its ability to lend the song an accessibility it might have forfeited without them. All in all, this is one of the best things to come out of Scandinavia in ages and Studio seem fully prepared to enjoy Royksopp-esque levels of international success and should no doubt be able to if they can maintain the high standard set on “No Comply” on future efforts. This shit is perfect for the season and likely won’t be leaving my speakers during our stopover in Barcelona and Maorca, and I hope it can provide the perfect soundtrack to some of your sunnier plans as well.
MP3: “No Comply” - Studio
And just to round things out, here are a few more reasons to get all hot and bothered over the Swedish duo in the form of their aforementioned and previously-posted remix work for Kylie Minogue’s “2 Hearts” and Shout Out Louds’ “Impossible”.
MP3: “2 Hearts” (Studio Version) - Kylie Minogue
MP3: “Impossible” (Possible Remake By Studio) - Shout Out Louds