Following releases on DFA, Hot Creations and Visionquest this new EP is Benoit & Sergio's debut for Culprit. It is the result of some extensive bonding with Culprit founders Droog, following some long sessions discovering shared loves as broad as Paul Simon, Talking heads, Michel Gondry's video work and Kurt Vonnegut's literature. In other words, good shit.
The Adjustments EP is very much a release with two halves. First up, "Shake Shake" is the duo at their most playful - a coy polka piano melody scattered across their trademark semi-gymnastic bass work. Filtered and vocodered vocal snippets try and add to the track's upbeat feel but in comparison to much of their previous work this feels flat and disposable. Benoit & Sergio are best when angelic and wrapped in swirling melodies, but they can equally create fun and lively records such as "$100 Bill", as featured earlier this year on their Hot Creations release. Sadly "Shake Shake" has none of the ridiculously effects and filters of the latter.
Thankfully the title track is significantly more interesting. "Adjustments" recaptures that spectral, delicate and emotive sound that first brought them to my attention. What Benoit & Sergio do so well is make tracks about DJs and dancing that just make you want to cry. "Adjustments" acts as an instruction to whoever is playing the tunes to "make adjustments" but it may as well be about saying goodbye to your best friend - it feels that raw. A gentle melody is plucked out on a piano against a soft electronic chord sequence and a stylishly simplistic rhythm sequence. You'll probably struggle to dance to it, but that doesn't matter - it deserves your heart all the same.
Adjustments is released through Culprit now. Preview "Adjustments" via Soundcloud below: