Minilogue - The Leopard

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  • Sweden's not just about banging loop techno and an all-embracing welfare state these days. However it is all about pretty melodies. Minilogue, who get more popular with each new release, have a real knack for them, as evidenced by their last 12” 'Girl from Botany Bay'. It's no surprise that the duo started out releasing trance records under the name Son Kite - there is still a definite trance influence in their sound. However, thankfully, this ain't trance. It’s progressive house in the most literal sense of the word – the title track builds logically and steadily using a fairly basic rhythmic foundation. But this basic foundation is soaked, even drenched, in euphoric cottony synths which add successive layers of melodic counterpoint until the overall effect is almost unbearably sweet. A bit like those Indian desserts that are deep-fried and then served in a little puddle of sugar syrup. Euphoric it certainly is, but it lacks a sense of real release after the artfully constructed breakdowns. This may not matter as the shimmers and pirouettes of the build-ups seem to have been mathematically calculated to stroke the synapses of ecstasy users into a state of priapic bliss. It’s easy to imagine that at a happy, summery party this track could be the precursor to one of those moments where everyone’s feet seem to be floating two feet above the dancefloor. Don't bother with the flip, which uses cookie-cutter 'minimal' percussion to fairly irritating effect and lacks the melodic hooks of 'The Leopard'. The straightforward builds and progressions of the A-side manage to be charming despite their obviousness but 'Seconds' lacks its puppy-ish enthusiasm and so ends up just being boring. I can’t get thoroughly excited about Minilogue as their records always seem to lack a definitive groove beyond a 4/4 backbeat. However, you really can’t fault 'The Leopard' in that it certainly achieves the effect its aiming for. Progressive house fans should pick this one up.
  • Tracklist
      A The Leopard B Seconds
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