Soulwax – From Deewee review: ‘big, bold tunes’

Named after their studio in Ghent, From Deewee is the first proper album by dance mavericks Soulwax in more than a decade.

The Dewaele brothers have not been idle, though. As well as last year’s curious soundtrack release, the duo have been touring as 2manydjs and road-testing these songs at Soulwax shows.

Just to make things interesting, From Deewee was recorded live in the studio in one take. What it sometimes lacks in finesse, it makes up for in immediacy.

Their analogue rhythms have the Germanic efficiency of Kraftwerk (the vintage synths will delight electronic music nerds). But Soulwax still sound like a real band on the big, bold tunes featuring a clattering drum kit.

With its sardonic lyrics and giddy groove, Goodnight Transmission is the perfect finale to the Belgians’ belated comeback.

(PIAS)