Pitchfork Forkcast: New Music: Simian Mobile Disco: "Clock" [Stream]

New Music: Simian Mobile Disco: "Clock" [Stream]

Like the endangered bonobo, Simian Mobile Disco won our hearts with their humanity. Last year's Pitchfork-recommended Attack Decay Sustain Release was crowded with memorable, quotable hooks that put a pop face on its house beats and clean production, from the young shoplifter of "Hustler" to the Go! Team cheerleading of "It's the Beat". On new EP Clock, the UK duo of James Ford and James Shaw go all-instrumental right from the opening (and title) cut, letting the danceable drum tracks and glimmering electronics speak for themselves. We've already discussed the squelchy bleeps, blips, and squeaks of the EP's aptly named "3 Pin Din", but "Clocks" is far less busy-- it could almost be the backing for an old Gary Numan song. Instead of the sci-fi spooks of "3 Pin Din", there's a whirling synth line that recalls that old circus tune. The bass drum hits on the first three beats of each bar, giving the track an effect of leaning forward, as skeletal melodies interlock overhead. It's still unlikely to please the kind of dance connoisseurs who've sniffed at groups like Simian Mobile Disco and Justice all along, but it does show some versatility, even if it's not as easily adorable.