Don’t be fooled by the name, there is nothing dirty about the noise that Dirty Vegas is making in the dance or indie rock scene. The Grammy award-winning triplet return for their soiree into the dance-rock genre, which has been blowing up recently, with the release of their third album, Electric Love (Om Records), out on April 26. And it’s much welcomed. Unlike the recent trend of making rock music sound like dance music (Two Door Cinema Club), these guys, led by vocalist Steven Smith, make dance music that rocks.
Smith boasts his lovelorn lyrics like the Brandon Flowers of yore, before he became all self-important in trying to capture glam-rock status. Although these guys play actual instruments, don’t be fooled by appearances, they’re DJs at heart. Their beats and tempo from keyboards and synthesizers alike speak for themselves in songs “Little White Doves” and their single and title-track, “Electric Love.”
Electronica (and the several genres that have appeared since the heyday of Moby, such as dubstep and drum ‘n’ bass) has come a long way with artists such as Skrillex and Deadmau5, who make half their music on computers. It’s nice to have the sound of a band that actually records their music in a studio. Recorded in London over the span of last year, it is without a doubt that their surroundings had a major influence in their new sound. Their edgier rock sound is reminiscent of UK staples such as The Artic Monkeys and Razorlight.
Their first standout tracks come with their opening numbers, “Little White Doves,” and “Electric Love” with lyrics reminiscent of Morrissey with lines like “I remember what its like to be a victim almost every night” and “I leave my house onto the streets and I’m searching for anything to fill my needs.” Smith spouts out these words in a melancholy drawl behind an upbeat tempo in such a fashion that one questions if they’re having mood swings. This combo is no doubt compliments of their keyboardist/DJ Paul Harris and bassist/guitarist/DJ Ben Harris (no relation). With Smith, they create such a polarizing effect that you start to believe you are bipolar, but for the better.
“Little White Doves” then transforms into an anthem-like chant, as Smith sings “we come like little white doves, little white doves, little white doves, baby” that just makes you want to jump up and down as you shout along. With “Electric Love,” and all other songs, you feel the same effect. These guys know how to make an infectious chorus and one can’t help but to just sing along. Other stand out tracks are the tribal-infused, “Pressure,” and their 80’s pop-gem, “Weekend.”
“It was just purely about getting in the studio and making music,” enthuses Smith. “It brought back so many good memories about starting out, because it took all the expectancy out of the equation.”
Although they had no expectations, the years have made rabid fans expect a worthy follow-up to Grammy-winning release Days Go By, and they don’t fail to deliver. With Jena Malone appearing in their first two videos for “Electric Love” and “Changes,” it’s just a cherry on top for the creme brulee of the dance world. Electric Love made me believe in love at first listen. But buyer beware, codependency might ensue.
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