REVIEW: ‘World Go Round’ from UFO Club’s latest EP
When Leeds-based DJ Ben Lewis isn’t spinning genre-spanning, vinyl-only DJ sets, he’s producing his own tunes as UFO Club. As you might expect for someone whose dancefloor selections cover techno, dub, krautrock, Middle Eastern styles and everything in-between, a range of eclectic influences shine through on the driving psychedelia of single ‘World Go Round’, taking from the recently released Tanz World EP.
The name UFO Club evokes imagery of ‘80s teenagers gathered in a basement plotting to save the world from some grand, otherworldly conspiracy, and ‘World Go Round’ leans into that retro-futurist spirit from the off: an initially sparse drum and synth-bass opening is increasingly punctuated with sizzling Roland hi-hats and bursts of analog sound. It’s reminiscent of Kraftwerk circa Computer World or Electric Cafe, each sonic element carefully chosen and placed with a precision that augments, rather than detracts from, the groove. Lewis’ own, heavily roboticised vocals further emphasise the krautrock influences, repeated futuro-optimist lyrical phrases more textural than melodic.
At the one-minute mark the song kicks further into life, shimmering techno arpeggios adding a blissful atmosphere. It’s a flow that some would be content to let play out for the full five-minute running-time, but Lewis’ keeps the listener guessing as 'World Go Round'’s rhythms and melodies constantly shift in and out of focus. Drums drop out to emphasise a swell of warm strings; layered vocals add a psychedelic tinge to a mid-song drop; the central bass hook gently fades before re-entering with renewed impact. It’s evidence of someone who knows that dancefloor power comes not from relentless application of energy, but careful management of it.
While all this makes 'World Go Round’ a great advert for Lewis’ DJ chops, it’s a brilliant song in its own right for his UFO Club project, deftly bridging the gap between audiophile appreciation and dancefloor drive. On this evidence, expect to hear them make their way into the crates (digital or otherwise) of discerning record spinners far and wide.
(And if you're wanting the same vibes but just that little bit groovier and nastier, the Cosmikuro remix of 'World Go Round' is also excellent).
Words: Dave Cuthbertson
