Joakim Milky Ways
Given that its creator initially made a name for himself as a purveyor of lighthearted […]
Given that its creator initially made a name for himself as a purveyor of lighthearted French electro-disco, it’s certainly unexpected that the first eight minutes or so of Milky Ways are reminscent of no one so much as Sonic Youth. At that point in the album, a manic splattering of drums finally dissolves into vocodered disco, yet it doesn’t signal a return to business as usual. Seemingly operating with a philosophy of “have fun and do whatever you find interesting,” Joakim Bouaziz and his live band delightfully renege on a stated plan to create a succinct, direct album in favor of wide-eyed eclecticism and idiosyncrasy—at times his creations recall artists as disparate as The Cure, Syd Barrett, Talking Heads, Daft Punk, and The Modernist. Pleasingly playful.