Critical Voices

As the co-founder of DFA Records, producer of The Rapture, and renowned collaborative remixer, James Murphy is often pigeonholed as nothing more than a party-music maven. Given the precedent the 37-year-old New Yorker has set for impeccable dance-punk, Sound of Silver, the latest release from Murphy’s solo project LCD Soundsystem, stands as one of the most anticipated DFA releases of the year. Rather than mimicking the rhythmic heights of LCD Soundsystem’s self-titled debut, Silver expands Murphy’s melodic palette beyond the dance floor, striking a subtle balance between calisthenics and cogitation.
Murphy certainly satisfies expectations with album opener “Get Innocuous” and its first single “North American Scum.” With ghostly vocals and an infectious electronic riff, “Get Innocuous” showcases Murphy’s ability to build momentum by gradually layering new melodies on top of the existent beat. “North American Scum” maintains the feel-good vibe with a driving bass line throughout the verse, and an anthemic chorus overshadowed by Murphy’s soaring falsetto.
However, “Someone Great” quickly changes the direction of the album. Slowing down the tempo and opting for a somber mood, Murphy spins the story of a relationship gone wrong. This slower pace continues with the next track, “All My Friends,” a song inspired by 1980s post-punk. While Murphy has explored slower tempos in the past, these two songs stand apart as the heart of the album and represent a renewed effort on Murphy’s part to develop his sound. The title-track, “Sound of Silver,” further exemplifies this point, as the song melds a catchy beat with atmospheric echoes, invoking a strong sense of space.
Sound of Silver serves as an interesting progression in Murphy’s ability to create affecting music. While he satisfies his fans’ hunger for rhythm and movement, he also includes a mixture of richer, more calculated music. To put it simply, Murphy seems to have rediscovered his edge.