Live Review: Future Islands 'Seasons' (DJ Dodger Stadium Remix)
LA power duo DJ Dodger Stadium give the indie power ballad of the year a techno makeover.
In life there are some unlikely pairings that just work, like chocolate-covered bacon or Christina Hendricks and Geoffrey Arend. This uncomplicated, classic techno remix of an indie power ballad is one of those unexpectedly decent couplings.
LA dance producers Jerome LOL and Samo Sound Boy, collectively known as DJ DODGER STADIUM, released their first full-length collaborative album ‘Friend of Mine’ in July on Body High. Since then it’s been all systems go for the duo. The latest is this, a remix of Future Islands’ ‘Seasons (Waiting For You)’.
There’s been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing speculation about this track in the blogosphere; an undercurrent of uncertainty. I, for one, can vouch for the fact that I did not anticipate how much enjoyment I’d find in such an out-and-out club techno track. Are Samuel T. Herring’s vocals suited to a fist-pumping, 4/4 techno composition? Surprisingly, yes. It’s a pleasant surprise to find how well, in fact.
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Do the original track’s signature synth lines and orchestral elements (utilised in the original as a framework but in this remix as garnish) benefit from being stretched out over six minutes of plateaus bookended by upward, synth-driven swells? The answer lies in the context. While true to the original, this is a work in and of itself. It stands alone, separate of the original Future Islands track; purpose built for being dropped in DJ sets for large crowds in larger venues.
What does remain unscathed, however, is the intent: enthusiastic, uplifting, melody and ambivalent lyricism. It gets better with every listen – which is fortunate, because it’s available for free download now on Soundcloud.
Words by Cheryl Billman.
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