Everybody Get Close
From the original 2011 press release: The moments of down time seem to be few and far between for John “Juan” Maclean. Since the release of his band’s last full length album, 2009’s The Future Will Come, he has certainly stayed in the public eye, thanks to remixes for artists like Chairlift, Matthew Dear, The Tough Alliance and forthcoming remixes for Yoko Ono and Stevie Nicks. In 2010, Maclean solidified his place amongst the dance world’s top tier when he contributed a volume to the DJ-Kicks series on K7 Records. This unapologetically deep house mix included a brand new track,“Feel So Good”, which picked up right where “Happy House “ had left off. Juan also appeared on both the Holy Ghost! Static on the Wire! EP (shredding guitar solo!) and took front man duties on Shit Robot’s “Grim Receiver”. He has been tirelessly DJ’ing worldwide. And in August 2011, Juan released a new single, “Can’t Let Go,” under his new house alias - Peach Melba. Despite that lengthy list of offerings, there are surely those just awaiting a Maclean long player. For those fans, there is Everybody Get Close, a digital only collection of Maclean’s material featuring new music, re-mastered tracks and remixes from some of his most talented colleagues. Interspersed among the 11 songs here are five that originally appeared on “Find A Way,” a tour EP previously only available in its entirety to those who made to a Juan Maclean live show. That release’s title track opens Everybody Get Close with call-and-response vocals from Maclean and bandmate Nancy Whang atop an electronic pop base, while “Let’s Talk About Me,” which follows, bounds blissfully throughout. “Deviant Device” is laden with dubby percussion and echo-drenched synths reminiscent of Basic Channel. “X2” offers up wide hall of house and robotized vocals; and “The Robot” – at just 2:05 – is filled with mechanical sounds and extraterrestrial noises. “Feel So Good,” from the aforementioned DJ-Kicks compilation – and also featuring vocals from Whang – is built on a rolling loop and an indefatigable beat provided by late drummer Jerry Fuchs. Japanese bonus track “When I Am With You” leisurely moves along on a relaxing romantic groove. Album closer “Everybody Get Close” – has mechanical vocals and funky synth bleats that show faint traces of major influences like Zapp and S.O.S. band, respectively. The three remixes included here differ wholly in character. The Holmes Price remix of “Human Disaster” radically alters the mood from that of the original, delivering a sound that immediately brings Human League to mind (a constant reference on Juan’s album too), while Jee Day’s reworking of the same song reinvents the original creaky piano ballad with disco and house undertones. Meanwhile, Cut Copy’s take on Happy House (only released in Australia) tones down the glee of the original with the inclusion of muscular, brawny vocals. Juan Maclean and Nancy Whang have begun work now on The Juan Maclean’s 3rd LP for DFA Records. In the meantime the digital compilation Everybody Get Close, serves as a handy compilation and welcome reminder of the music Juan Maclean has contributed to both the dance and indie community. It also can only hint at what might come next from the chameleon-like Juan Maclean.
This collection of previously released odds-and-ends both dimly mirrors 2009's album-as-artist statement The Future Will Come and finds John MacLean stretching into the production of faceless but more functional dance tracks.
<p>A collection of odds and sods from LCD Soundsystem-affiliated the Juan MacLean oozes quality, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong></p>
DFA's one-man dance party issues a collection of oldies and rarities. <strong>Dave Simpson</strong> listens in