Mount Kimbie
XOYO, London
21/09/10

Calmly resilient and politely stubborn, Mount Kimbie steadfastly refuse to be pigeonholed. Their music, pushed towards an inadequate post-dubstep tag along with Joy Orbison and James Blake, is brilliantly unclassifiable. Dance, dubstep and funky combine and are deconstructed, whilst ambient electronic, post-rock sounds lie stealthily in wait for the inevitable collision. On debut ‘Crooks & Lovers,’ Dominic Maker and Kai Campos craft nimble, elegant soundscapes that unravel and intertwine further with every listen. Their live sound is a different proposition entirely.

If on record Mount Kimbie seek entry to the subconscious, then their live set up is designed to embrace their dance-heavy bent. After all, no one wants to stand still watching two guys twiddle and click. With this is mind, they incorporate drums, cymbals and guitars to beef things up a bit. Undeniably a logical step, the additions sometimes feel awkward, the squall of a guitar or the crash of a cymbal out of step with the smoothness of the electronics. The set draws mainly from ‘Crooks & Lovers,’ and is given an unconventional twist. Songs are not played in their entirety, a move which, although deliberate, creates bouts of uncertainty in the crowd.

The sound of chattering hipsters crammed into this impressive new venue, along with the clatter of glass bottles being binned can unfortunately be heard at all too regular intervals. The sound’s limitations would hinder anyone, but Mount Kimbie need clarity, precision and above all tonight, some more volume. Hooks and basslines thrill when allowed the chance to breathe, whilst the looping rumble of the music is often enthralling. All the more frustrating then, is the unshakeable feeling that this performance, impressive as it is, should be blowing heads clean off. Mount Kimbie have something special, but for one reason or another, couldn’t quite show it off.

Ben Homewood