Pitchfork

The recent boomlet in *LOUD* electro-house, exemplified (of course) by metal-minded loons Justice, has made for plenty of great tracks. What it hasn't achieved quite so often, though, amid all the delinquent swagger, is total embarrassing euphoria: beatific bliss. Melbourne, Australia-based Muscles, whose remix of Crayon Fields side project Sly Hats' winsome "Vampire Sips" we previously posted, pretty much go there on "Sweaty", the lead track from new album Guns Babes Lemonade.

"My hand slipped into your hand!/ And it was awesome!/ And you were special!" a choir of Muscles-ular voices declare, pumping out electronic fuzz and cranked-to-the-max "Hill Street Blues" synths over brawny bass, clattering hand percussion, and an unremitting house beat. "Peace, love, ecstasy, unity, respect!" the dudes occasionally chant; "I'm getting tired, and I'm sweaty/ But I still want to touch you if you'll let me," they explain elsewhere. Somewhere in all the Rapture-like shouts is the kind of playful falsetto Beck did on Midnite Vultures. The sheer extreme energy of this thing (and the island vibe) could help it fit in after a track by Swedish electro-poppers the Tough Alliance, but "Sweaty" is a bit rougher around the edges. And it is awesome, and you are so fucking special.

Bonus: "Sweaty" also has a video, though you really should listen to the track first with better sound quality. Enjoy!

[from Guns Babes Lemonade; out now in Australia and due 10/23/07 in the U.S. on Modular]