This Is What We Do is only Leftfield’s fourth album in a career that has lasted almost 35 years (on and off). But if there is a dance outfit that can demonstrate the worth of quality over quantity, it’s the duo of Neil Barnes and Adam Wren (Barnes’ original partner, Paul Daley jumped ship 20 years ago).
By flatly refusing to chase fashion and by maintaining their Progressive House magpie vision, Leftfield have consistently put out tunes, like “Not Forgotten”, “Open Up” and “Afrika Shox” that still pack a punch years after their release and This Is What We Do sees absolutely no drop in the calibre that we have come to expect. Created and sculpted as a reaction to the Covid pandemic and to Barnes’ cancer diagnosis in 2021 (thankfully now in remission), This Is What We Do is both incendiary and visceral, yet emotive and diverse, subtly bringing together a range of influences and vintage sounds with banging beats and a sense of dancefloor release. In fact, it’s just what we could all do with right now.
Recent single, “Full Way Round” is a burst of grimy electro-rave with punk attitude and vocals by Fontaines DC frontman Grian Chatten; “Accumulator” is an euphoric acid techno monster; while the initially claustrophobic “Pulse” soon opens up and seriously lets rip. There is, without doubt, plenty here that demands to be played at maximum volume in a room full of dry ice and brain-frying strobe lighting. However, there is also shade to go with the light and “Let’s Have It” is woozy and giddy, while “Rapture 16” is dark and cinematic. “City of Synths” and “Machines Like Me” even feel like slightly opaque homages to the mighty Kraftwerk. In short, This Is What We Do is a fine addition to Leftfield’s musical battery and will likely be spinning minds and tempting even the most dancephobic onto their feet for some time yet, just like its predecessors.
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