The Thousands

Ratatat are one of those rare bands who’ve never doubted their initial idea. On every new release, Evan Mast and Mike Stroud find some new way of getting their idea across. To me, the idea is that Electronic music can sound (and be) completely natural.

On LP4, their fourth album (what gave it away?), the two lads have refined song structure and dynamics to perfection. It’s not lo-fi by any means, incorporating more different instruments than ever before, including a real string section and sitar. The first stunner is ‘Drugs’, which instantly recalls the absolute wailing power of their second album Classics. This leads into the single-worthy ‘Neckbrace’, and the contrast between these two tracks is a sign of what awaits.

LP4 is the result of everything Ratatat have accomplished so far. Each album has kicked it up a notch, leading to this perfect combination of trusted ideas. Their best and most complete album yet.