Gang Gang Dance

Saint Dymphna

[3.5/5]

In most cases, using the word “experimental” to describe music that defies genre categorization is somewhat lazy. But in the case of Gang Gang Dance, the tag fits without any negative connotations: The New York City act’s tunes aren’t structured like pop songs; they’re rhythm-heavy but aren’t dance music; and despite containing washes of ambient electro, aren’t suitable for chilling out, either. Instead, the band sculpt self-contained pieces of sound whose abstractions grow the longer you listen. So it goes with Saint Dymphna, which begins in a swirl of synths that could be the theme to a 1980s PBS special, and ends with a prolonged expanse of shimmering tropical rainforest beats a la 808 State’s “Pacific State.” In between, Dymphna is far more grounded and compact-and less dependent on throbbing tribal rhythms for its color and texture-than 2005’s God’s Money. “First Communion” sounds like Crystal Castles slamdancing with !!!, “Inner Pace” recalls Massive Attack’s dank minimalist heyday and “Desert Storm” is as chaotic as Björk’s time fronting the Sugarcubes. Most importantly, Dymphna’s genre distinctions are more sophisticated and nuanced, whether they’re futuristic disco-soul, languid dub reggae, computer-pop gone haywire, anguished no-wave or diffracted funk. In light of this variety, perhaps a better description for Gang Gang Dance’s brain-bending music is “challenging.” (THE SOCIAL REGISTRY) Annie Zaleski

ROCKS LIKE:

HEALTH’s Health

Massive Attack’s Protection

Black Dice’s Broken Ear