Remember 20 years ago, when electronic dance music was beginning to catch on, and Moby, at the forefront of the movement, released the rock album Animal Rights? Neither does anyone else, because it was pretty forgettable. Moby, who returned to electronic music with a vengeance and published a memoir, is back with These Systems Are Failing (Little Idiot/Mute), credited to Moby & The Void Pacific Choir. Don't expect electro Moby here, although there are plenty of opportunities for dancing. Edgy enough for slam-dancing, these 11 songs owe more to Nine Inch Nails than to Giorgio Moroder, beginning with "Hey! Hey!," an invitation to pogo. The same dark energy powers "Break. Doubt" and the aptly named "And It Hurts." Track 10, "Almost Loved," comes closest to the Moby of old.
Sometimes electronic dance music comes from unlikely sources, such as Omaha, Nebraska. New-wave revivalists The Faint proved that when it released Blank Wave Arcade on hometown hipster label Saddle Creek. "Worked Up So Sexual" and "Call Call," two songs from that album, are among the 19 compiled on Capsule: 1999-2016 (Saddle Creek). The band's breakthrough disc Danse Macabre is represented by "Glass Danse," "Agenda Suicide," "The Conductor" and "Posed to Death." Capsule also boasts three new songs: "Young & Realistic," "Skylab 1979" and "ESP."
Strange Diary (Polyvinyl) by Psychic Twin (aka Erin Fein) is a thrilling electronic pop album. Showing her respect for the 80s roots of electro-pop on "Unlock Yr Heart" (which recalls St. Vincent), "Running in the Dark," and the Eurythmics-esque "Hopeless," Psychic Twin has something new to say and a fresh way to express it. Brava, diva!
GTA hails from Miami and mixes a cocktail of sounds on its debut album Good Times Ahead (WB). There's a splash of sampledelic soul on "True Romance" featuring Jarina De Marco, a dash of clubby hip-hop on "Little Bit of This" featuring Vince Staples, and a sip of pulse-manipulating dance on "Heartbeat" (featuring Karina). Drink it up.
It probably doesn't hurt that electro-duo Tritonal (Chad Cisneros and David Reed) are easy on the eyes. They're easy on the ears, too, as you can hear on Tritonal's second album Painting with Dreams (Enhanced). That's gay American Idol survivor Adam Lambert providing vocals on the slow-dance of "Broken." If you want an excuse to cut loose, hold out for "Waiting 4 U."
Electro duo Aluna George took its time following up Body Language, its well-received 2013 debut disc. I Remember (Island/Interscope) doesn't stray too far from that formula. Slow-beats dominate at the start, but "Mean What I Mean," and "I'm in Control" get your feet headed in the direction of the dance-floor.
Roosevelt (aka Marius Lauber) makes his debut with his eponymous 12-track album on City Slang. He deserves credit for making the kind of dance-music album enjoyable as background music. The retro disco of "Colours" and "Night Moves" is noteworthy.
German producer Boys Noize (aka Alexander Ridha) takes his Daft Punk obsession to the next level while tossing in some Fatboy Slim on Mayday (Rough Trade). Boston-based international trio Miss Geo should have no trouble connecting with dancers via "Give Me That Noise" and "Techno Entry" on its album Connection (missgeomusic.com).