Discodeine is the combined efforts of noted French producers Cédric Marszewski and Benjamin Morando, respectively known as Pilooski and Pentile. While their eponymous 2011 debut received mixed reviews due to its uneven execution, their second album, Swimmer, fluidly captures the kind of disco and weird chill expected from a band who references a cough syrup sedative with their portmanteau name.
Notably, the lineup of guest vocals that helped create buzz around their debut LP (namely Baxter Dury, Jarvis Cocker and Matias Aguayo) have been limited this time around, with only Tame Impala's Kevin Parker appearing, while touring drummer Mark Kerr lends his unremarkable voice to a few tracks. With good taste prevailing, the boys forget about vocals after the depressing downtempo ditty "Dive Wet," opting to show what they do best. Unencumbered by lyrics, "Hydraa" and "Liquid Sky" bring an infectiously warped, manic feel to disco house, which would sound great next to Black Devil Disco Club on a mix, while "Shades of Cyan" takes Plaid to the country, and "Sip Slow" plays the role of spiritual cousin to the Phil Collins classic "In the Air Tonight."
Generally, Swimmer is less of a stretch than the duo's debut, showing that Marszewski and Morando are becoming increasingly comfortable with each other in the studio. It's a far more consistent release than their first record, but Swimmer ultimately ends up feeling rushed, running only half as long as their debut, and ending before the listener fully has a chance to become fully immersed in their world.
(Pschent)Notably, the lineup of guest vocals that helped create buzz around their debut LP (namely Baxter Dury, Jarvis Cocker and Matias Aguayo) have been limited this time around, with only Tame Impala's Kevin Parker appearing, while touring drummer Mark Kerr lends his unremarkable voice to a few tracks. With good taste prevailing, the boys forget about vocals after the depressing downtempo ditty "Dive Wet," opting to show what they do best. Unencumbered by lyrics, "Hydraa" and "Liquid Sky" bring an infectiously warped, manic feel to disco house, which would sound great next to Black Devil Disco Club on a mix, while "Shades of Cyan" takes Plaid to the country, and "Sip Slow" plays the role of spiritual cousin to the Phil Collins classic "In the Air Tonight."
Generally, Swimmer is less of a stretch than the duo's debut, showing that Marszewski and Morando are becoming increasingly comfortable with each other in the studio. It's a far more consistent release than their first record, but Swimmer ultimately ends up feeling rushed, running only half as long as their debut, and ending before the listener fully has a chance to become fully immersed in their world.
