By Jake Lawlis
Electronic dance music has exploded all over the world in the past two years, especially in America. And French disco is the next big thing in EDM.
Teenagers are finally starting to release that main-stream radio play is not very good, so they are slowly but surely switching to EDM.
“I have heard of French disco, but only a few songs,” said Zach Berman, a concert reviewer for GenXGlow.
The godfathers of French disco are the famous Daft Punk and Justice, but neither of them put out records in years.
In the fall of 2012, an upcoming record label, The French Express, signed many producers with outstanding records. Producers like Chris Malinchak and Isaac Tichauer are perfect exemplifications of this new sound. Songs like “So Good to Me” and “Got Somebody”, have the signature clean kicks, and crunchy vibes.
“I think music like this helps EDM return to its roots,” said Britney Lane, a long time EDM listener and frequent club goer in Charlotte.
The “deep ‘housey’ sounds”, said Lane, “sound a lot like disco from the late 70s and 80s”.
The objective of French disco is to make the listener express their emotions through the melody. Some electronic music is just about dancing and drugs, but French disco is about expressing yourself.
You do not have to be around huge groups of people to enjoy it. The perfect tempo and rhythm match your heart beat, and it is impossible to not smile and bob your head while listening to it.
Berman describes the sound. “It has very soulful sounds. I like the lounge energy in the songs,” and that it is “always in control.”
These are actually two very core parts of French disco. The energy comes from a laid back vibe and stays “in control” to maintain the “housey” feel.
If you feel like getting your crunch on, check out www.soundcloud.com/FRENCHEXPRESS and/or research Annie Mac’s essential mix on Soundcloud.