Le Galaxie - Le Club

Across the past four years, Le Galaxie have riotously affirmed their reputation as Ireland’s outstanding party band (we mean that in an entirely positive way) even as they otherwise seemed to settle into a creative stasis. There was not much in the way of new music; little sense that, after 2011’s superb Laser Disc Nights 2 EP, that they knew what to do next. Now that their much-waited second long-player finally is here it feels reasonable to ask: has it been worth the wait?
The answer, it is a relief to report, is absolutely. While not markedly different from anything in their earlier catalogue, Le Club is nonetheless a triumph – a magnificent tour de force, assembled from powerful, vintage bleeps and chirrups. Underneath the melodic propulsion, there’s real songwriting vim too and even a whiff of melancholy, the sort that perhaps comes upon you in a club at 2am as the euphoria dims and you can feel the grey world outside starting to reassert itself.
This ecstatic weariness is especially palpable on ‘Streetheart’, a joyous heat seeker with sadness in its sinews. As with much here, the vocals are by the band’s Michael Pope – his barking mewl may be somewhat of an acquired taste, but he successfully imbues the lines with a punkish lip-curl that satisfyingly pushes against the cybernetic grooves, preventing Le Galaxie ever slipping into slickness.
Later, there are cameos from Fight Like Apes’ MayKay (‘Carmen’) and Elena Mai on hit single, ‘Love System’. The good news: Le Galaxie are back with a vengence. As Le Club winningly confirms, they are already the complete package.

Key Track - 'Streetheart'