About

Ratatat (pronounced rat-ə-tat) is a Brooklyn-based electronic rock duo consisting of Mike Stroud (guitar, melodica, synthesizers, percussion) and producer Evan Mast (bass, synthesizers, percussion).

Magnifique is the fifth studio album by Ratatat, released in July 2015. The album features a cover of the 1971 Springwater single "I Will Return" and cover artwork collage sketches by Evan Mast and Mike Stroud. The band released "Cream on Chrome" as the first single from the album, with "Abrasive" as the second single.

"The album’s secret weapon is the southern twang of a slide guitar. First heard on “Drift”, it recalls Beirut charm more than video game tournaments, bringing to mind a carousel bobbing through a heatwave. Inspired by slide guitar players who performed on The Lawrence Welk Show, Stroud and Mast’s decision to include their own version shows their commitment to focus on the specifics without sacrificing flair. The boldest take comes in the penultimate track (and their first ever cover): an electronic rendition of Springwater’s 1972 hit “I Will Return”. The wholesome rendition twirls into a two-step later backed by quiet vocal harmonies. For an album of dial turns from hits to breathers, their cover adds class to their usually unruly full-lengths.

The precise beauty of their production work, specifically the refusal to dump gratuitous instruments into the mix, places Magnifique at the top of Ratatat’s catalogue. Stroud and Mast let guitars beat at the album’s heart, and their balance of bubbly and peaceful elements ushers a return too fluid to ignore.

Essential Tracks: “Abrasive”, “Cream on Chrome”, and “Nightclub Amnesia”" - Consequence of Sound

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