Sofi Needs a Ladder

Song: Sofi Needs a Ladder
Artist: Deadmau5
Album: 4x4=12






I have a hard time figuring out Canadian DJ Deadmau5's output.  I was first introduced via the "album" "For Lack of a Better Name" from 2009, a hard elctro-house album containing the one-two punch of "Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff" and "Ghosts 'n' Stuff"(featuring Rob Swire.)  But as some tracks had been released before, I've seen it mentioned as a "compilation album" and that his most recent release, "4x4=12" was actually his first "artist" album... yet Wikipedia has it listed as his third album.  Since he released "At Play 2" in 2009 and "At Play 3" in 2010 (which Wikipedia lists as his tenth album) though featured other artists music... I just can't figure it out.

Regardless, "4x4=12" feels like the follow up to "Lack of a Better Name," so I'm gunna run with that.  It contains singles "Some Chords," "Animal Rights," and "Sofi Needs a Ladder" which were all released this year.  I really liked "Some Chords" and "Ladder," with the latter being one of my favorites from the electronic mouse-head-wearing DJ.

Deadmau5 had his most high-profile gig this past fall when he DJ'd MTV's VMA Awards.  For American audiences, it was an inspiring choice for MTV to make to highlight the DJ who none-the-less made very little water cooler chatter after the event, aside from possibly the too short (like twenty-three seconds) accompaniment to Robyn's "Dancing on My Own" performed literally in the rafters.  But America isn't on the Progressive House tip (just yet) but it's a start.

Unlike the "At Play" series which I find monotonous and a bit droning, "4x4=12" does contain actual songs.  It has his moments where things seem drag on a bit, but highlights like the Daft Punk-esque "Animal Rights" and the soulful "Raise Your Weapon," along with "Chords" and "Ladder" show that the Progressive House cross-over album might be inside Deadmau5, it's just not "4x4=12."  But for fans of the genre, or even casual house fans like myself will find a lot to enjoy here.

The more I listen to it, "Raise Your Weapon," featuring the vocals of Greta Svabo Bech, the more it has become one of my favorites.  It starts a bit slower than the other tracks, and just when you think it's going to explode into a four-to-the-floor booty shaker, it dives deep into Dubstep instead.  At just over eight minutes, it's pretty epic.

Check this out.

Enjoy.

Sofi Needs a Ladder


Raise Your Weapon


Some Chords