Dance

Sound DNA

• Electronic
• Synth-Pop / New Wave

• synthetic
• hypnotic
• nocturnal

About

<i>Dance</i> follows further down the trail blazed by its predecessor, 1980's <i>Telekon</i>, creating more complex textures and sophisticated structures from Gary Numan's synthesizer-based sound. It also introduces a new development that would have seemed unthinkable around the time of Numan's earliest synth-rock outings: funk. As the album title implies, several tracks are downright danceable, replete with sleek, supple grooves. But Numan's is, unsurprisingly, a moody brand of dance music, rather than the jump-up-and-party variety. Japan bassist Mick Karn adds his trademark fretless sound to a number of tunes, and at times this downcast, synth-colored art-funk evokes that of Karn's band. The bassist isn't the only high-profile guest—Queen drummer Roger Dean turns up for "Crash" and "You Are, You Are," on which <i>Dance</i>'s dreamy dynamics are appropriately amped up. But while this was Numan's most organic-sounding album up to that point, for the first time he relies heavily on programmed beats, ensuring that his perennial mix of man and machine endures.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits