ALBUM REVIEW: “This Is Happening” LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem
This Is Happening
[DFA Records]

While “Drunk Girls,” the first single from This is Happening, scared off quite a few fans, LCD Soundsystem proves there’s nothing to fear. James Murphy has certainly outdone himself this time around. The opening track “Dance Yrself Clean” starts the album off with an melodic ease that quickly transitions into a synth saturated explosion. Each track proves that LCD has some of the most fluid versatility around, going from novelty to dancey to radio-friendly to erratic industrial with dexterity.

There’s no possible way to pick just one stand out track off the album, however there are are a few that deserve a little bit more recognition. “Pow Pow” is, well, just that — a bongo-ridden song with equally punchy lyrics telling Michael Musto to eat it and “we have a black president and you do not.” “I Can Change” could be stripped straight from a Weird Science-type 1983 teen flick, with Murphy’s lucid voice dripping on top the pulsating bass and synth lines.

Despite begging fans to not leak their album, the album has now become widespread over the internet. You can now LEGALLY stream This is Happening off of the band’s website to hold you over until it’s officially released May 18. Considering the possibility of this being the last release from LCD Soundsystem, they sure as hell are going out with a bang.