Remember when people said disco was dead? Well, it’s not. Disco is back, but in a new form thanks to a number of electronic bands that have been influenced of course by the driving rhythm of classic-era disco but also the sounds of new wave and modern R&B. Here is a list of some of the hottest and most influential neo disco artists/bands that are sure to get your butts off those bar stools and onto the dance floor.
Glass Candy
On gala days the town fires its great guns, which echo like popguns to these woods, and some waifs of martial music occasionally penetrate thus far. To me, away there in my bean-field at the other end of the town, the big guns sounded as if a puffball had burst; and when there was a military turnout of which I was ignorant, I have sometimes had a vague sense all the day of some sort of itching and disease in the horizon, as if some eruption would break out there soon....
When there were several bands of musicians, it sounded as if all the village was a vast bellows, and all the buildings expanded and collapsed alternately with a din. But sometimes it was a really noble and inspiring strain that reached these woods, and the trumpet that sings of fame, and I felt as if I could spit a Mexican with a good relish,—for why should we always stand for trifles?—and looked round for a woodchuck or a skunk to exercise my chivalry upon.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
This retro electronic new disco band from Portland, Oregon, has had critics at a loss on how to describe their sound and who to compare them to. Lead female singer Ida No’s vocals are often compared to Blondie’s Debbi Harry or even girl group vocals from bands like The Shirelees. Their sound has often been said to be a mix of Olivia Newton-John to Queen and Kraftwerk, but obviously, they have their own hard-to-pin down sound. The band has released a number of singles, compilations and albums since 2001 but their most recent release "Deep Gems" is the most representative of their new disco sound and their unique sampling and live instrumentation sound.
LCD Soundsystem
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 2:6,7.
Often cited as one of the most influential bands this past decade to restart the new disco movement. Not only is LCD Soundsystem one of the most influential bands but lead singer and producer James Murphy is also the co-founder of the dance label DFA Records which has also been integral in the new disco movement. With their smash hit "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" LCD Soundsystem made their mark as a snarky, smart and free-wheeling new disco band. The band really hit its stride with their sophomore album "Sound of Silver" which managed to surpass their debut with a collection of nine lengthy and personal disco rock jams influenced by bands as varied as Brian Eno to Roxy Music to The Velvet Underground.
Alan McGee is a freelance writer from MN.