The Prodigy "No Tourists" (2018)

Many years on from their hay day, English Big Beat legends The Prodigy bring back their sound again for another round of 90s electronica mashed with booming drums beats on No Tourists, their seventh full length. The project was initially intended to be an EP but the quality of the music led them to a full length release that is noticeably shorter than The Day Is My Enemy. If it is curation or a short and sweet principle, this newest chapter definitely carries a more vibrant energy as it breezes by with a lively energy, charisma and focus on the big pounding drums that you'd expect of them.

The approach to sampling, electronics, melody and vocals all have a strong 90s feel, hailing back to their best era. Its not on par but their knack for jittery synths and the cramming together of intricate sounds to form a whole feels fluid and vibrant. Massive kicks and snares snap and pop throughout and the arsenal of accompanying sounds makes for a fury of body moving energy. Interestingly a collaboration with duo Ho99o9 stands out as an excellent moment where the two acts find a common ground to accommodate one another and produce the records most infectious song!

Beyond that one moment not much breaks expectations or deviates from form. Vocally the group focus more on the hooks and have their snippets on loops for the choruses. A lot of synth setups, tone, delivery and vocal samples hail back to their early days. If you know them well you will hear the links. This is The Prodigy delivering what fans want and if in the right mood it makes for a heck of a listen. Its far from original, a few spicy arrangements are in store but this is a full speed ahead, wild ride!

Favorite Tracks: No Tourists, Fight Fire With Fire, Champions Of London, Resonate
Rating: 7/10

The Prodigy "The Night Is My Friend" (2015)

Last year British legends of Essex "The Prodigy" returned from the darkness for another record, something they do every six years or so since their most successful "Land Of The Fat" back in the 90s where they were much more active. I caught the promoting tour which was one heck of an atmosphere to take in, one big party with a crazy light show and Maxim Reality exploring the venue, singing while walking through the crowd. Hungry for a little more I picked up the counterpart EP that finishes the other half of the lyric from title track "The Day Is My Enemy".

It should be known EPs and singles can often be tidbit extras, scraps and left overs brought together to fit the norm. Unfortunately "The Night Is My Friend" falls right into that territory. The opening "Get Your Fight On" is a re-equalized track that wouldn't even get audiophiles excited. A shortened three minute edit of "Rhythm Bomb" is thrown in possibly for radio play. There is only one new song "AWOL" which is pretty banging, another big break-beat with a lot of texture, distortions and typical Prodigy noises. Its plays itself down and builds up that typical dance suspense with an increasing snare leading in the drop which is the hook heard at the opening. Its a short but sweet song.

Lastly there are two remixes, "Rebel Radio" gets chopped up, re arranged with a clanging, loud snare harping on through the track reminiscent of "St. Anger". Not appealing and Caspa's remix of "The Day Is My Enemy" isn't as bad but his shuffling Trap hi-hats and Dubstep wobbles don't really fit the sample material, Its mediocre at its best. With just one new song its quite the disappointment, not a release worthy of attachment to the main album in my opinion.

Favorite Track: AWOL (Strike One)

Rating: 2/10

The Prodigy "The Day Is My Enemy" (2015)

The Prodigy are a British trio of electronic musicians who need no introduction to residents of their native country. Here in the UK they are a household name, with big albums and singles like "Firestarter", "Breathe" and "Smack My Bitch Up" in the 90s they establishment a huge presences for themselves alongside the Brit Pop era of that time which saw a fair few musicians, bands and pop groups flourish with a wave of popularity. This album marks 25 years the three have stuck together and is only their sixth full length record, having slowed down their output since their most popular release "The Fat Of The Land". The group played a pivotal role in defining the Big Beat genre which mixes elements of Hip Hop and post-Detroit rave scene sounds like Jungle, Techno and Drum & Bass. The name clearly suits the genre which revolves around massive loops backed and reinforced by various styles of synthesizer leads and electronic sampling.

"The Day Is My Enemy" is a generous serving of vibrant, industrious, energetic songs that give their fans exactly what they want, more hard hitting breaks, hooks and jittery melodies to rave too. Beyond that their little thats expansive or experimental about this record, The Prodigy are writing sharp songs that meet the expectations of their niche. Through out the record there are hints and inklings of similarities to previous songs, which is to be expected. Overall it does an impressive job of keeping their sound fresh, with exception to "Destroy" which felt like an intentional throw back to the 90s, and one of the records best songs with its thumping bass kick, shuffling snares and pitch shifted hits creating one heck of a hook.

Production wise, their experience and knowledge shows. Theres very little to talk about beyond the stunning clarity and balancing of instruments in the mix, it makes for a lively record that gives you a feel for the live experience. The record very much suits a mood and apatite but with little to expand on what The Prodigy are known for it can feel all too familiar. With a lack of new ideas or moments that take you by surprise it leaves a desire for something new. Its strength is its rigidity and so is its weakness. The Prodigy stick to their guns and shoot to kill, but they could do with a new target. Great listen but very much scratches an itch thats been treated before.

Favorite Songs: Ibiza, Destory, Wild Frontier, Medicine, Wall Of Death

Rating: 6/10