The Shortwave Set - No Social
[Wall Of Sound]

The first single to be taken from the Anglo-Swedish trio’s forthcoming ‘Replica Sun Machine’ album, ‘No Social’ glides from old-school soul samples in the direction of poppy psychedelia without a care in the world, and as is often the case when talking about The Shortwave Set, the result is very difficult to pigeon-hole.

The bassline and pianos are the track’s driving force, but as with most work produced by Danger Mouse there’s a hell of a lot going on, and outside of the chorus it sometimes proves difficult to concentrate on Ulrika and Andrew’s vocals because of the complexity of their accompanying instrumentation.

On closer listens you occasionally end up feeling that the song’s underbelly is comprised of one too many components, each jostling for position in an already crowded backdrop, and sadly it has the propensity to overwhelm rather than captivate.

Elsewhere on the single though, the Optimo Espacio remix twists and turns like an ever-evolving industrial techno monster, and ‘White Lie’ offers up a summery combination of lightly-strummed acoustic guitar and penetrative beats, showing off Ulrika’s vocals at their alluring, soulful best.

No Social Tracklisting:

1. No Social (Radio Edit)
2. No Social (Optimo Espacio Remix)
3. White Lie
4. No Social (Album Version)