Album review: Basement Jaxx – Scars

Scars by the Basement Jaxx was released on September 21st.

New music from the Basement Jaxx is always good news. But is this album good enough to scar you for life?

It has been a decade since the Jaxx revolution. The two blokes from Brixton, London saved house music from boring beats throughout the nineties. Since their album debut and commercial breakthrough with “Remedy” in 1999 we’ve heard three albums, a few compilations and a number of EPs. Three years after “Crazy Itch Radio” they are back with “Scars”, their fifth long-player.

Even though it was their new approach on dance music that got the Jaxx their status as musical geniouses, I feel the albums has grown into a collection of pop tunes rather than floorfillers. But with that said: It’s still impossible to stand still when you experience the live act. The UK duo’s effect on dancefloors worldwide has been and is still impressive.

The crazy filled-out unique sound is still there. And just like before the music has to grow on you. But like with “Kish Kash” and “Crazy Itch Radio” the tracks on “Scars” are based on RnB and alternative just as much as house music.

Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton of the Basement Jaxx. Photography by Jamie Beeden.

A trademark has been the interludes and the excellent collaborators. The short breaks are gone, but the list of guest artists is as interesting as ever. Santigold, Kelis and Yoko Ono (!) are the highlights this time.

Well, earlier album references aside. Let’s have a look at the good tunes of “Scars” (Album Spotify link).

Their first single “Raindrops” (Spotify link) is a typical sing along Jaxx track. Quite nice. But “Feelings Gone” featuring Sam Sparro (Spotify link) is even better, with strings, heavy guitars and thin synth stabs topped with crazy drum breaks and Jaxx vocals everywhere.

There’s a few slow beauties as well: “Stay Close To Me” (Spotify link) with Lisa Kekaula on vocal, and the country flirt ballad “A possibility” (Spotify link) featuring Amp Fiddler. My definitive favourite though has to be the astounding “My turn” (Spotify link) with Lightspeed Champion. This track has got a crispy guitar lead and a killer bass line, tied together with a beautiful melancholic melody. I can’t wait to hear the remixes on this one!

“Twerk” (Spotify link) gets the award for being the funniest track, since Yo Majesty has borrowed lyrics from the synth pop classic “Maniac” by Michael Sembello which you might remember from the Flashdance score. Combined with a banghra refrain it can’t go wrong.

This album has more tracks than the other Jaxx full-lengthers. A positive thing at first, but now I have to admit it gets kind of boring in the end.

Conclusion time. This is another brilliant collection of psychedelic beats from Ratcliffe and Buxton. “Scars” has good individual tracks and a few potential dancefloor favourites, but maybe no anthems this time. I’ve got a feeling that this album is more similar to “Remedy” than their other shots. Back to the roots ten years later, you might say.

As always with the Jaxx the album gets more and more interesting for every listen. Addictive in a way. And that must be a good thing. Have a few listens yourself and see if it leaves any marks.

My score: 8/10

One Response to “Album review: Basement Jaxx – Scars”

1. Håkon Lofthus says:

   2009/09/24 at 21:30

   I miss the old Basement Jaxx sound. Red Alert, Where’s Your Head At etc… However, I liked “Raindrops” and “Feelings Gone”

   Current score: 3