The Twelves - Kitsune Tabloid Mix Album Review

Kitsune, in Japanese, mean fox, an animal that is common in Japanese folklore. But this isn't an article on foxes, or folklore, or anything like that really. Instead, this is about the other Kitsuné; the French record/ fashion label that has released the third of their series of 'Tabloid' mixes. Fresh off the back of the release of mixes from fellow Kitsuné label mates Phoenix and Digitalism, The Twelves have completed the Tabloid hat-trick for the label. The Twelves, for those unfamiliar with the electronic duo, are a Brazilian double act who have remixed songs for the likes of Daft Punk, M.I.A and even the Beatles and Nirvana. Delivered in typical Brazilian funk resonance, the mix is an eclectic blend of the type of melody you'd expect to come from the French label.

The mix is essentially split into two. The A-Side being original cuts from the twosome and the B-Side a collection of songs the pair appreciates so much so they've decided to share with the listening public, in an attempt to recreate the sound of one of the duos live shows. It is a wide-ranging second side with appearances from Twin Shadow, Shit Robot and Zombi to name but three.

Those familiar with the sound of the Twelves may already be accustomed to some of the mixes on the first seven songs, offering the traditional funk/samba-infused electro typical of the band, yet the opening salvo has an velvety sound which is beguiling for the listener and something you may not expect from the group. Whilst keeping up appearance with the more traditional side of the band's sound, this smooth, more pop than funk sound is incorporated well to keep up with the ethos of the Kitsuné label. The more familiar parts can be heard in the swooning vocals on the remix of Munk's 'Violent Love', a song that belongs to a genre that is typical for of the duo to rework. The vocals sound somewhat similar to Asobi Seksu, whose track 'Thursday' the double act remixed some years ago. The velvet introduction however is not the only dissimilarity on the mix though.

One thing that does set this recording apart from previous mixes by the twosome is that the distinctive house percussion and occasional synth-lines that can be found on the majority of preceding mixes is almost void throughout the A-Side. Instead we get a retro sounding bass-line featuring as the backbeat to most songs, which give some of the songs a sound which almost comes across as unfinished, being not too dissimilar to a rough Justice cut. It may seem a little cruel to say this, given that the duo only played a hand in the arrangement of the B-Side, but it really is the stronger of the two. Chaz Jankel's 'Without You' is scintillating electronic-infused pop number and 'Wild Cat' by Ratatat is a good quality dance-rock track that could only be improved with some well-suited vocals.

The album on a whole is a very listenable, yet would probably be better suited as background music in a trendy clothes shop (again fitting in with the Kitsuné ethos). What it does is, rather than serve as an exhibition of the duo's talent, something they have by the bucket load in terms of production and crafting danceable electro-funk, is place the band in a genre where it seems fairly obvious that they are not comfortable and just continues the Tabloid Mix series by Kitsune in lacklustre fashion.

3/5

Joe Wilde