The Agit Reader

Basement Jaxx
Junto

September 4th, 2014  |  by Dorian S. Ham

Basement Jaxx, JuntoIt’s been 20 years since Basement Jaxx made their recorded debut, and in dance music terms, with all of the shifting of trends and sound, that’s nearly a lifetime. But the group has weathered the storm by sticking to their own muse, specifically a blend of house music, breaks, electro, and Latin-flavored workouts. They’ve never been megastars, but they’ve been one step behind and to the left with legit hits, a laundry list of A-list remixes, and a variety of high profile collaborators. They’ve never established a lasting foothold in America (the curious popularity of “Where’s Your Hand At” aside), possibly because they’re not as aggressive as mainstream America seems to like its electronic music. But now with the surprise late blooming of pop radio’s love for Disclosure’s “Latch,” it’s the perfect time for the reemergence of Basement Jaxx and the duo’s first album in five years, Junto (Atlantic Jaxx/PIAS).

Basement Jaxx isn’t generally thought of as being eclectic, but when you actually take a close listen to their records, it’s clear that there are some fairly wide swings. Junto continues on that path. From the trap track “Buffalo” to the Balearic sunrise closer, “Love Is at Your Side,” Basement Jaxx’s borders are fairly elastic. In less able hands, Junto would be a fumbled mess, but the Jaxx have it dialed in, utilizing a DJ-like sensibility to the sequencing so that each transition makes sense. It’s the type of skills you need to go from an R&B-flavored down-tempo track to a salsa infused rave-up without blinking an eye.

Junto is classic Basement Jaxx, but it’s also lacking the “Oh snap!” factor of at least one of two songs that are undeniable bangers. That’s not to say that there aren’t tracks that will get bodies moving—in particular, “Unicorn,” with it’s late-80s Deee-Lite house trapping, will get the job done—but there’s nothing that will make someone just lose their mind. To be fair, though, bangers aren’t a requirement, and Junto has plenty of quality dance tracks. It feels like nitpicking, however, after so many albums with transcendent cuts, it’s hard not to be somewhat disappointed, even if Junto is a solid addition to the catalog.

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