The Singles Jukebox

Pop, to two decimal places.

Simian Mobile Disco – Seraphim

Get spiritual…


[Video][Website]
[6.62]

Iain Mew: SMD take a stab at ghost in the machine dance soul like Hot Chip used to do. It’s enjoyable but the haunting refuses to last past the end of the track.
[6]

Edward Okulicz: I’m imagining that dropped in a DJ set, “Seraphim” coming over the sound system would be like the the view of the fake smoke and the stench of the real stuff lifting, the lights going on, and the sweaty disco becoming a serene palace made of ice and stained glass. And everyone would stop to sip cool, green cocktails before bobbing their heads just a little to enjoy the tranquility.
[8]

Brad Shoup: Seraphim are, of course, of the heavens, but listening to this song has me at all sea, with the synthbursts acting like sudden pockets of warm water. Who needs progression when you’ve got timbre?
[8]

Jonathan Bradley: “Seraphim” makes a mistake so obvious it must surely be intentional: the gospel vocal loop culminates not in the expected euphoric release but in finicky synth pedantry. It’s like being born again and discovering that godliness is actually next to tax accounting. Color my expectations subverted, but for what reason?
[4]

Alfred Soto: Of course I want the vocals to claw their way to the top of these synth glaciers. Then I remember the adage: Some say the disco will end in fire, some say in ice.
[6]

Michaela Drapes: It bears mentioning that seraphim, strictly speaking, are often depicted on fire, which is kind of the opposite effect of what this perfectly frosty track is up to.
[7]

Jonathan Bogart: The title’s far too lofty for the track’s plasticine loops and squiggles, but that doesn’t detract from the slow-bursting pleasure they provide.
[7]

Anthony Easton: Almost minimal, with a lovely vocal, and easy beats. It would be dull if it lasted longer than a couple of minutes, but the short length and spare instincts open up a kind of middle ground. 
[7]

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