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Classic Review: Justice - Cross (Ed Bangers Music)
Released: June 18th, 2007
This past week was the 10th birthday of one of my all-time favorite albums, Justice's Cross. Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Auge combine to form this electronic/dance French duo. They began their career in the early 2000's and I first heard of them when they released the song "We Are Your Friends" with Simian in 2006. The song was a simple repetitive chord and punchy drums. Which they combined with a bass line and vocals to generate an awesome dance track. From there, they expanded on to their debut record, Cross. Not only is it my favorite electronic album of all-time, but it is hands down one of my general favorite albums of all-time. From start to finish, this album is intriguing, exciting, pumping and catchy. Whether it range from the pop-classic "D.A.N.C.E." or to the anxiety inducing "Stress", this album has it all. The instrumentation falls nothing short of full and lush while containing some of the most addicting melodies and arrangements. This record is a must listen for all music lovers.
Tracklist:
1. Genesis
2. Let There Be Light
3. D.A.N.C.E.
4. Newjack
5. Phantom
6. Phantom, Pt. 2
7. Valentine
8. Tthhee Ppaarrttyy
9. DVNO
10. Stress
11. Waters of Nazareth
12. One Minute to Midnight
Click HERE to listen to the full album
The album leads off with "Genesis". Un-ironically referring to the placement of the book of genesis within the bible, this first track is a four-minute jam that contains these daunting chords that eventually drag you right into a thick electronic groove. This song is a perfect example of how wide and full the sonics are all throughout this record. The addition of the laser-esque sounding synths is a fantastic touch to add right on top.
The smooth hi-hat transition into "Let There Be Light" sets you up for such a solid feel. Before all the instrumentation hits, this song will make you bob your head to a simple hi-hat and kick pattern. Later on, the melody of the wobbly keys with the rough and edgy synths combine to form another amazing groove. An arpeggiator picks up halfway through and carries this song on to the next track.
The third song on Cross, "D.A.N.C.E.", is my favorite on the album and an all-time classic. The bass line drives the song with assistance from these forever potent synth-chord stabs. I love the very young and child-esque vocals on the track, they make the song song poppy and catchy.
"Newjack" is a recurring vocal loop supported by a straightforward drumbeat, but the thing that makes this song so interesting is the way Justice mixed the audio throughout the track. It almost sounds as if it is constantly cutting in and out of a radio or that its glitching through a speaker or pair of headphones. The way they altered the radio fuzz and other sound effects to make the song sound messed up is so unique and different. I also really enjoy the light and gentle synth keys that enter around the 1:35 mark. The sound is so soft and feels as though it is floating.
A back to back threat, "Phantom" and "Phantom, Pt. 2", are both so dense and exhausting. The heavy and compact drums push the sound so far out while the synth-play and loops intrigue the listener to no end. There is only a slight moment of time where the listener can calm down before the primary drop on "Phantom, Pt. 2". The big synth saw waves lead this song and drive it all the way through. They receive support from a fat bass line and these elegant and gorgeous violin-esque synth stabs, courtesy of a sample from Bonny M.'s song "Sunny". The last 40 seconds serves as cool down for the listener before they begin the second half of the album.
"Valentine" and "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy" are the most relaxed on the whole album. "Valentine" contains these classic Justice drums that become covered by these icy and playful synth melodies. Again, a smooth transition leads directly into "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy". A feature from American-French singer/songwriter Uffie, this track is a slower and more awkward song of a girl getting ready to go out and party. A classic sample of Three 6 Mafia's "Stay Fly" enters at the chorus.
The most prominent club anthem on the record is by far "DVNO". The lyrics tell of someone trying to get into the club and dance with women...I'm losing my patience, I just came here to bounceLadies all waxed, they all know I'm coming
The thumping instrumentation is very hard hitting and rich, extremely appropriate for a European nightclub.
The tenth song on Cross, "Stress", is a song that matches its title perfectly. This track conjures up so much anxiety and makes the listener feel stressed, literally. The song is full of anticipation and worry. The looping screeching synth-play is very scary and sharp. The aggressive drumming and layered synth arpeggiators add to this haunting and dark track. At the 2:00 mark, these siren sound effects continue to build to the stress and anxiety levels. The song keeps pushing the listener to different boundaries, making them feel uncomfortable in such a good way.
The second last song, "Waters of Nazareth", contains these ground shaking and driving synth lines that are so rough and bumpy. Present throughout the whole song, these synth lines carry the song all the way to the finish line, where they gain help from these organ sounding keys and other synths.
"One Minute to Midnight" is the final track on this record. A simple kick/snare pattern leads this unbelievable album to the end. With help from multiple synths, this track closes out Cross in a gorgeous fashion.
Checkout Justice's music video for "D.A.N.C.E." below...
Tracklist:1. Genesis
2. Let There Be Light
3. D.A.N.C.E.
4. Newjack
5. Phantom
6. Phantom, Pt. 2
7. Valentine
8. Tthhee Ppaarrttyy
9. DVNO
10. Stress
11. Waters of Nazareth
12. One Minute to Midnight
Click HERE to listen to the full album
The album leads off with "Genesis". Un-ironically referring to the placement of the book of genesis within the bible, this first track is a four-minute jam that contains these daunting chords that eventually drag you right into a thick electronic groove. This song is a perfect example of how wide and full the sonics are all throughout this record. The addition of the laser-esque sounding synths is a fantastic touch to add right on top.
The smooth hi-hat transition into "Let There Be Light" sets you up for such a solid feel. Before all the instrumentation hits, this song will make you bob your head to a simple hi-hat and kick pattern. Later on, the melody of the wobbly keys with the rough and edgy synths combine to form another amazing groove. An arpeggiator picks up halfway through and carries this song on to the next track.
The third song on Cross, "D.A.N.C.E.", is my favorite on the album and an all-time classic. The bass line drives the song with assistance from these forever potent synth-chord stabs. I love the very young and child-esque vocals on the track, they make the song song poppy and catchy.
"Newjack" is a recurring vocal loop supported by a straightforward drumbeat, but the thing that makes this song so interesting is the way Justice mixed the audio throughout the track. It almost sounds as if it is constantly cutting in and out of a radio or that its glitching through a speaker or pair of headphones. The way they altered the radio fuzz and other sound effects to make the song sound messed up is so unique and different. I also really enjoy the light and gentle synth keys that enter around the 1:35 mark. The sound is so soft and feels as though it is floating.
A back to back threat, "Phantom" and "Phantom, Pt. 2", are both so dense and exhausting. The heavy and compact drums push the sound so far out while the synth-play and loops intrigue the listener to no end. There is only a slight moment of time where the listener can calm down before the primary drop on "Phantom, Pt. 2". The big synth saw waves lead this song and drive it all the way through. They receive support from a fat bass line and these elegant and gorgeous violin-esque synth stabs, courtesy of a sample from Bonny M.'s song "Sunny". The last 40 seconds serves as cool down for the listener before they begin the second half of the album.
"Valentine" and "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy" are the most relaxed on the whole album. "Valentine" contains these classic Justice drums that become covered by these icy and playful synth melodies. Again, a smooth transition leads directly into "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy". A feature from American-French singer/songwriter Uffie, this track is a slower and more awkward song of a girl getting ready to go out and party. A classic sample of Three 6 Mafia's "Stay Fly" enters at the chorus.
The most prominent club anthem on the record is by far "DVNO". The lyrics tell of someone trying to get into the club and dance with women...I'm losing my patience, I just came here to bounceLadies all waxed, they all know I'm coming
The thumping instrumentation is very hard hitting and rich, extremely appropriate for a European nightclub.
The tenth song on Cross, "Stress", is a song that matches its title perfectly. This track conjures up so much anxiety and makes the listener feel stressed, literally. The song is full of anticipation and worry. The looping screeching synth-play is very scary and sharp. The aggressive drumming and layered synth arpeggiators add to this haunting and dark track. At the 2:00 mark, these siren sound effects continue to build to the stress and anxiety levels. The song keeps pushing the listener to different boundaries, making them feel uncomfortable in such a good way.
The second last song, "Waters of Nazareth", contains these ground shaking and driving synth lines that are so rough and bumpy. Present throughout the whole song, these synth lines carry the song all the way to the finish line, where they gain help from these organ sounding keys and other synths.
"One Minute to Midnight" is the final track on this record. A simple kick/snare pattern leads this unbelievable album to the end. With help from multiple synths, this track closes out Cross in a gorgeous fashion.
Checkout Justice's music video for "D.A.N.C.E." below...
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