""That's undoubtedly new,"" I heard my friend Tyler say at Lollapalooza last summer. Lying on the grass waiting for Phoenix to play at the Budweiser stage, we had the utmost pleasure of having moments just listening to the Cut Copy concert at the stage across Grant Park. Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours had been a spectacular success, but both Tyler and I agreed that when we heard ""Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution,"" this band had a new sound that was sure to make the crowd swoon and sway.
In a four-part documentary on YouTube, director Krozm filmed Cut Copy's process of producing Zonoscope. Through these videos you can easily see where Cut Copy's influence originates: 1970s and 1980s vinyl. Krozm follows the group from Melbourne, to Atlanta, to the stage.
Mixed by Ben Allen, Zonoscope embodies the dance sound that Cut Copy has always remained devoted to while also exploring a more universal sound. Stepping away from their standard tone is what makes Zonoscope a rewarding and unique album.
Starting off strong with ""Need You Now,"" lead singer Dan Whitford's 1980s vocals make you feel like you are in the middle of a dream. You will never be able to listen to ""Need You Now"" enough. With a couple listens, you are sure to fall in love with Cut Copy's electropop.
""Take Me Over"" is the track that you can begin to notice Cut Copy's departure from their normal new wave mixes to a light melody. A definite change from the band's first release, ""Take Me Over"" has a bouncy tempo that gives it the identity of a textured and beautifully layered track.
Turn the bass and volume up high when ""Pharaohs & Pyramids"" is blasting through your headphones. The only way I can possibly describe the synth of this track is that is glimmers and sparkles; it almost feels like ""Hearts on Fire"" from In Ghost Colours. Toward the end of the track the sound changes, breaking down and perfectly blending with Whitford's melodic voice.
Zonoscope was entirely unfamiliar at Lollapalooza; however, the small preview I got was catchy and engaging. Hearing ""Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution"" again only exemplified the enticing bass line. The high chorus of this track is what makes it shine. Whitford sings ""We're on a path to eternity"" through bass balanced by a peculiar, hollow sounding percussion score, granting ""Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution"" its own distinction.
Cut Copy wraps up Zonoscope with a daring track: ""Sun God."" What I love most about music is transitions. Lasting 15 minutes in length, ""Sun God"" is a number of stages and transitions that conclude the album in a monumental manner. This track opens to the whimper of ""Please, please, please, please, please won't you give you love to me"" before getting to ""You got to live / You got to die / So what's the purpose / Of you and I?"" Drifting along, the instrumental bliss of ""Sun God"" embodies the new sound and traces of the traditional Cut Copy; its musical ecstasy pays homage to what Cut Copy is all about.
Music will forever be scrutinized, but with Cut Copy it's not about comparing Zonoscope to In Ghost Colours. Electropop is still ever present on Zonoscope; it is a success standing by itself. Facets of Cut Copy's past accomplishments are heard on this album in a midst of diversions that lend each track its own personality. With Cut Copy taking the reins on a global sound, a couple listens of Zonoscope are sure to satiate your February blues.
