It’s amazing to me that dance music that isn’t particularly original in composition or execution somehow resonates more in today’s pop music world than current innovation seems to be able. We may be able to chalk this phenomenon as it relates to LCD Soundsystem and their fantastic new album This is Happening, to front-man James Murphy’s continued prominence, his wildly successful DFA imprint, his daunting amount of experience and influence and bullet-proof resume. Even artists and bands like Pantha Du Prince, Hot Chip, Flying Lotus, Sleigh Bells and many others who are doing admirable work (even better work in some cases) in experimenting with new textures, combining influences in newer, subtler ways, forging and sculpting their own unique sounds and generally coming up big on all fronts, will likely never reach the masses like Murphy has managed to, and continues to do on This is Happening. While I hate, hate, hate to have an established, guaranteed-swoon-inducing-winner like LCD Soundsystem overshadow some of the amazing advancements in dance... it’s freaking hard not to fall in love. This is Happening is just too good. It could well be the group’s defining moment to date.

From the band’s first single, “Losing My Edge,” up to this point, Murphy’s never been shy about saturating his music with the pronounced and recognizable sounds of his heroes. These influences have been nearly homogeneous in their focus on the 70s, incorporating the raw simplicity and edge of punk, the grooviness of funk and the glitziness of disco, but also the robotic twitch of Kraftwerk. It’s entirely possible, too, that Brian Eno has played a large part in the sound of LCD Soundsystem previously, but it was never as overtly clear as it is within This is Happening’s proto-glam leanings, which comes across as a new (and welcome) avenue for Murphy to direct his attention. Eno is all over this thing, especially on the album’s first half, and his influence is at its most distinct during the romp’n’stomp hit “Drunk Girls,” and “All I Want,” the latter of which features a distorted and droning guitar hook that almost sounds lifted straight off of Here Come the Warm Jets. But Eno’s influence on Devo’s earlier material finds its way into the album too, as in “I Can Change” with its old school synths, heavy mod-wheel vibrato, and herky-jerky electronic beat. Like Devo, it’s just nerdy enough to be cool even despite dipping the record’s energy at a somewhat pivotal moment.

But all of this sleeve-wearing of influences talk does too much to discredit LCD Soundsystem for being LCD Soundsystem. Indeed, the band has worked hard to create its own sound—a well-defined and unique corner within the world of dance today—and This is Happening solidifies this place with a commanding authority. LCD Soundsystem are refreshing in their reluctance to resort to sampling, and their championing of tight playing, exquisite production and vocals. See the record’s second, surprisingly stronger half, which finds the band ripping off its greatest influence yet: LCD Soundsystem. “You Wanted a Hit” and “Pow Pow” are flat-out burners propelled by driving, percussive grooves (recalling “Beat Connection” from the group’s early singles collection), fat bass tones, and steeped in the biting wit, and self-effacing lyrical content that makes Murphy so loveably charming in that “you’re such an asshole” sort of way.

The other element that lifts the album’s success to such dizzying heights is the band’s keen sense of timing, their ability to remain patient, to build, layer, and ultimately deliver in ways that will simply drive your pleasure-centers bonkers. Opener “Dance Yrself Clean” has one of the more rewarding payoffs available on record this year. The song simmers on low for a full three minutes, repeating a two-note bassline and bongo beat, before exploding forth in an instant boil of dominating drums, and a hilariously loud and satisfying synth hook. Save for the somewhat out-of-place “Somebody’s Calling Me,” which has a swing-step electronic groove and does well to highlight the variety that is a defining quality of This is Happening on the whole, the album’s tracks tend to linger around for a while, fulfilling groove-potentials and playing remarkably well to the dance floor. “You wanted a hit, but maybe don’t do hits / We won’t be your babies anymore,” contests Murphy, almost challenging reviews and critics like yours truly. Well sir, you’re not hurting anyone’s feelings. You can just keep on not making hits for as long as you like. I’m not complaining. But damned if I’m not going to listen, weigh in, and ultimately dance my ass off to your highly awesome jams. So there.

Track List:
1. Dance Yrself Clean
2. Drunk Girls
3. One Touch
4. All I Want
5. I Can Change
6. You Wanted a Hit
7. Pow Pow
8. Somebody’s Calling Me
9. Home