Disco, house, rap, and gorilla suits

With the current and rising popularity of the EDM movement, some would say we are living in the golden era of the DJ. Others, including French house twosome Cassius, have a strong sense of nostalgia for the late '60s and early '70s, an era when disco was just starting to take root in the fertile soil of American subcultures and DJs began exploring the possibilities that combining soul, funk, and new uncharted genres had to offer. Cassius, composed of producers Philippe Zdar and Boom Bass, have not released an album since 15 Again in 2006, but are returning to center stage after a ten year absence with the release of their new single "Action."

This triumphantly free-spirited track has the feel of typical European club house music, but with a twist. The familiar consistent beat, simple, stalwart bass patterns, and seductively repetitive female vocals complement the more unusual addition of Latin hand percussion instruments, interjections of rap verses, and the occasional horn and electric guitar interlude. Philippe Zdar brings in Cat Power and Mike D (yes, Mike D of the Beastie Boys) to handle the vocals for "Action," having previously mixed albums for each of them, and they are both invaluable to appeal of this track. Cat Power's deep, smooth, energetic voice brings a sense of urgency to the song and Mike D's scattered rap verses produce a counteracting care free attitude. This retro track is presumed to be the first single off a new album that Cassius is in the process of crafting, and is surely a sign that disco is back from the dead, resurrected by the bizarre, yet captivating vision of Cassius (as seen in the video below).