Album: Labor
I was a pretty big Le Tigre fan and really liked their pop-minded last album The Island. (Like Luscious Jackson, seemingly ending on a real high note.) So with that band defunct it was nice to hear that two members, JD Samson & Johanna Fateman had formed a new band, and even better when I flipped for their debut song "Off Our Backs." I wore that one out, and was a little disappointed with the resulting debut album Talk About Body which came out two years later. It was solid enough, but "Off Our Backs" was a clear highlight.
I'm happy to report though their sophomore follow-up Labor, released last month is GREAT. It keeps up with the debut's social causes, gender politics, and human commentary, yet does so with more subtlety. The themes are less in-you-face and only come through with repeated listens. What is in your face this time around though is the music. Labor is way more beat-driven and clubby than the debut, yet very diverse and not one-note.
The album starts very strong with the throbbing "Power Strobe" and the killer Yuksek-assisted "All the Way Through," a building, impossibly cool love track. I love it. Also digging "Making Art," "Semenya," and towards the end of the album the bitter and pounding "Fucked Up" which is a gilted ANTHEM. Before it the album sags ever so slightly, but may improve with more listens. But "Fucked Up" really rockets things back to life.
This is a really great follow-up and definitely worth your time. JD Samson's crowning achievement for sure.
Enjoy.
All The Way Thru
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