Ratatat: Magnifique
Brooklyn-based electronic music duo Ratatat present their fifth studio album Magnifique.
Recorded over the last four years, the new album sees Ratatat return to their core guitar-focused sound. Taking their time perfecting the album, the duo recorded the tracks in various studios across different locations from Jamaica to upstate New York, Long Island, and their home studio in Brooklyn.
The duo commented on the lengthy process saying, “Because it’s instrumental music, you can’t just be half-assed with the music and then like, ‘Oh someone will sing on this’ […] it makes it a bit more of a challenge.”
In anticipation of the album release the duo released two tracks, Cream on Chrome and Intro followed by a music video for the track Abrasive from the upcoming album’s 14 tracks. Among the releases, Abrasive stands out as one of the band’s most dense songs ever made, reaching as many as 30 guitar layers.
Equally dense is the animated video created for the track, which is hand drawn by Ratatat’s half, Evan Mast aka. E.VAX, using over 4000 illustrations. Some of them are taken from the band’s recording sessions for Magnifique. Likewise the artwork created for Magnifique, including the album cover, is composed of sketches drawn by Mast and Mike Stroud, Ratatat’s other half, while in the studio.
Magnifique is set for release on Friday 17 July 2015 and is currently available for pre-order through iTunes and XL Store.
—
