We’re only a few weeks into the new year and things haven’t exactly been cheery. Luckily, the next time you’re feeling a bit down, I highly recommend switching on Close Counters’ latest album ‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’ which has just dropped like a glistening glitter bomb of danceable fun.
With disco-infused break beat, funk, house, and soul melodies, ‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’ is an uplifting album full of crisp production that’ll get you moving as soon as you hit play.
With shimmering atmospherics, sharp high hats, warped synths, and twinkling tones glistening together the melody of ‘WATERFALL’, is a sparkling introduction to Close Counters’ new angelic collection of tracks. When the soulful piano tones then step in, the melody goes from glistening to smooth as hell, producing an extremely cool vibe. The twangy bass injects a deep groove into the whole affair, guiding it into dreamy funk territory. When the beat hits, ‘WATERFALL’ hits its stride and becomes a colourful funk-filled dreamworld, full of twinkling samples and melodic synths.
On ‘CONSTANT LOVE’, we head more into disco territory, with warped synths humming over sharp percussion and a thick bassline. The atmospherics feel warm and slither through the melody to add softness to the punchier percussion on the track. Jace XL’s vocals are very cool and just add a rich sweetness to ‘CONSTANT LOVE’, transforming it into a caramelised piece that also feels very suave.
The high hats on ‘ON THE MOVE’ slice through buzzing atmospherics and echoing strings before digitised tones add texture to the melody, alongside Tiana Khasi’s gorgeous vocals. This track is definitely groovy, but has a more of an electronic vibe, with subtle notes of R’n’B within it as well. It’s a really nice blend of genres that creates a very unique sound that only Close Counters could whip up. The vocal harmonies on ‘ON THE MOVE’ make the piano tones more powerful and with all these elements blending together so well, the track feels full without feeling bombastic. It’s rounded and whole but still has enough space to flow at a steady pace. It’s really nice to experience.
Piano tones and galactic samples take the lead on ‘CLOSE TO ME’, alongside a series of fun synths that slip and slide between the bassline and subtle percussion. This is another very dance-influenced track, with rounded tones swirling throughout the melody and uplifting vocal harmonies producing a very welcoming atmosphere. There are so many intricate details in the production of ‘CLOSE TO ME’ that give it a very unique sound. You hear something new every time you listen and it’s invigorating when you notice a new sample you didn’t hear before or a house-soaked synth you missed the last time. Every time you listen to ‘CLOSE TO ME’ you absorb something new and it’s incredibly exciting.
Layered percussion leads the next single on ‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’, ‘Dusk’. With tambourine-like chimes shimmering over light cymbals, solid yet sharp drums, and refreshing tones, the pace of ‘Dusk’ slowly builds with accent samples popping up above the light vocals and the echoing synths. Everything feels light, like it’s skipping through the air on a brisk morning, and there’s a refreshing crispness to the production that the drums really accentuate. The synths that continue to rise until we reach the end of the track, which makes things feel a lot brighter, which is interesting considering the title. The juxtaposition is really intriguing, and an absolute pleasure to listen to.
Cool tons and soft high hats open the next track on the album, ‘WAITING ALL NIGHT’, which also features the vocal stylings of Allysha Joy. With echoing horns and industrial-esque samples that softly crash like waves against the Allysha’s vocals, ‘WAITING ALL NIGHT’ blends house, break beat and dance elements with a solid bassline creating a very soulful mood. The percussion is snappy and honestly, with the production feeling a bit sparser and more open, it really gives the bright atmospherics, bursting synths, and punchier vocals time to shine when they emerge. ‘WAITING ALL NIGHT’ really does ebb and flow like water on the shore, dipping in and out of its crescendos and keeping you captivated.
On ‘FEELING TAKES OVER ME’ which also includes a vocal feature, this time from Lyric Jones, the high hats work with the beat and bassline to create a strong foundation and grounding vibe. The tones are deep and almost guttural, infecting your insides and perfectly expressing the “feeling that takes over me” that Lyric describes in her vocals. There are some subtle samples that wriggle and groove within the melody, but this is the kind of song that hits you within and really pumps through your veins. While there are some lighter tones that quietly twinkle within the atmospherics, the brightness really doesn’t emerge until the track reaches its peak. ‘FEELING TAKES OVER ME’ is very cool, and is a track you can truly get lost in.
Upbeat bongos and slapping percussion open ‘FREEDOM WE’RE NEEDING’, and when the deep tones enter the picture alongside the vocals which have been provided here by Shiv, they both work together to blanket the percussion in a calmer aura. Additional vocal samples bounce through the production in some sections, adding an energetic pop and ensuring the energy on ‘FREEDOM WE’RE NEEDING’ remains high. This is probably one of the most movement-heavy tracks on the album. Shiv’s vocals paired with incredible harmonies and the extra vocal samples make the ‘FREEDOM WE’RE NEEDING’ feel busy and bustling, like a fun night out in a new city with a group of incredible people.
Finally, ‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’ closes with ‘I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU’. With such a heavy disco beat straight off the bat and soothing synths subtly flying through the production, the track feels both magical and groovy at the same time. The high hats keep a steady pace as each new element is introduced, from the wobbling synths to the slick bass line, emotive piano tones, and uplifting harmonies. Warming atmospherics gently hum behind the melody, shining on everything like the sun and making the production feel full. ‘I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU’ is just an incredibly beautiful tune to close the album, with so many excellent elements coming together to drive home the overarching atmosphere ‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’ exudes.
‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’ is a great album full of infectious instrumentals and invigorating melodies that allow you to escape into a colourful world of soulful electronic disco. With the production including subtle hints of house and break beat, every tune on the album feels unique because while each song shares similar tones and percussion patterns, they paint very different pictures, and the house-influenced production takes things to a whole new level. ‘LOVERS DANCE ACADEMY’ is one of Close Counters’ best projects that you’ll want to immerse yourself in again and again.