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Nu-disco

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Nu-disco
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsMid-1990s, United Kingdom

Nu-discois a 21st-centurydance musicgenre associated with a renewed interest in the late 1970sdisco,[1]synthesizer-heavy 1980s European dance music styles, and early 1990selectronic dance music.[1][2]The genre was popular in the early 2000s, and experienced a mild resurgence in the 2010s.

There are several scenes associated with the nu-disco term. The original scene is characterized ashouse musicfused with disco elements (sometimes incorrectly referred to asdisco house),[3][4]and disco-influencedbalearicmusic, also known asbalearic beat revival[5]orbalearica.[6]

Nu-disco is often confused with the other disco-influenced house music genres, such asFrench houseordisco house.French house usually features various special effects, such asphasersand has heavily sample-based production, compared to the usually programmed or live original instrumentation that nu-disco relies on.[7]The other key difference is in the song structure — nu-disco usually has a typical song structure of apopor classic disco song, with multiplebreakdowns,and often with verses and a chorus, whereas disco house generally has a more constant and unvaried character throughout the composition,[7]as does most of house music.

History[edit]

Disco edits: 1970s–early 1990s[edit]

Disco edits or re-edits emerged at the same time as disco appeared in the early 1970s, when DJs were looking for ways to make music easier to mix.[8]A disco edit is a modified version of the original master, edited by disco and house DJs to extend and emphasize the best and most dance-friendly elements. For example,Todd Terje's edit of theBee Geeshit "You Should Be Dancing"does exactly that, downplaying the old-school vocal riffs in favour of driving bass, lively percussion, and an overall sense of space.[9]

In the early days, edits were done with scissors and tape. Some edits became even more popular than the original records from which they were derived. The early editors (such asWalter Gibbons) earned a reputation and developed a studio career from their editing work. Given the popularity of edits, labels predominantly releasing edits and remixes began to appear. The first one to arrive was Disconet in 1977, followed by well-known DJ editsservicesand labels such as Hot Tracks, Rhythm Stick and Razormaid.[8]Such labels remained active until the first half of the 1990s, when an increase of copyright enforcement gradually put them out of business.[8]However, the scene's activity didn't fade away, it went underground, where many disco edit labels continue to exist today, such asBrooklyn's influentialRazor-N-Tape.[10]

Emergence of nu-disco: mid-1990s–late 1990s[edit]

The early developments of the genre are linked with theBlack Cock Records,disco edits label, primarily active in 1993–1998, founded byDJ Harveyand Gerry Rooney.[11]The label was focused on releasing non-official re-edits ofdiscotracks and somefunk-influencedrock.[11]It was not the only existing disco editsbootleglabel in the 1990s, but had a huge impact on a generation ofhouse musicproducers, inspiring many in diggingdecadentgenre and adjusting their own house music productions with disco-sounding elements.[11]

In the mid-1990sNuphonic Recordswas the house label forBritishartists Idjut Boys,Faze Action,[12]Raj Gupta andCrispin J Glover,[11]which are considered to be the pioneers of nu-disco.[3]The Idjut Boys, best known for pioneering a house music style called "disco-dub" were heavily inspired by thefreestyleanddub-influenced,post-discodance sounds of the early 1980s.[11]Faze Action were one of the first house production units to make "all live" productions that insisted on drawing on methods used in disco.[11]DJ Dave Leeaka Joey Negro andCrazy Pare also called to be the pioneers of the genre.[3]

In 1997, DJI-Freleased the trackSpace Invaders Are Smoking Grass,a track based aroundelectro-funkdrum patterns,80sFM synthstabs andvocodervocals, that single-handedly started theelectroclashmovement, and brought melodic, European soundingelectro-discoback to clubs and DJ sets.[11]In 1999, I-F released the first of his "Mixed Up In The Hague" mixes, made up almost entirely ofItalo discoandEurodisco,which became hugely influential.[11]

Mainstream success, French house and disco house synonym: late 1990s–mid-2000s[edit]

In the late 1990s to early 2000s, disco-inspired dance genres became popular; manyFrench house,funky house,anddisco housesongs broke into the charts.[11]Popular tracks such asKylie Minogue's "Love at First Sight",Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Take Me Home"and"Murder on the Dancefloor",Jamiroquai's "Little L",andFreemasons"Love on My Mind"all made the top ten of theUK Singles Chart.By this time, the nu-disco scene was heavily associated with disco house[7]and French house.[12]

The moniker "nu-disco" first appeared in print as early as 2002. In 2002,The Independentdescribed nu-disco as the result of applying "modern technology and pin-sharp production" to 1970s disco and funk.[13]Metro Area'sself-titled album,released in 2002, is often regarded as one of the most influential albums in the genre.[11]The album named the second best album of the decade byResident Advisor[14]and the best nineteenth of the decade byFactmagazine.[15]In the early 2000s the genre was a dance music mainstay,[12]right until the mid-2000s whenelectro housegained commercial success, leaving nu-disco in decline from mainstream and pushing it to further development.[3]

Decline in popularity and development: mid-2000s–late 2000s[edit]

In the 2000s, nu-disco gained a new sound, which was developed in various local scenes:

In July 2008,Beatportadded genre category "Nu Disco / Indie Dance", stating that nu-disco is "everything that springs from the late '70s and early '80s (electronic) disco,boogie,cosmic,Balearicand Italo disco continuum ".[1]Originally, service associated it withre-editsof classic disco records and a handful of European electronic producers who made music in that style. It was used alongsidealternative danceup until September 2019, when Beatport separated categories into two, leaving nu-disco in "Nu Disco / Disco".[28]

In 2008,Spinmagazine stated that disco is experiencing a worldwide renaissance, with a flowering of new labels, compilations, and club nights, calling the disco of the 21st century seedy,underground,and punk in attitude.[2]The magazine pointed that Eurodisco sound, including instrumentalspace discoand the late-1970s—early-1980s Italo disco, was the main influence on the nu-disco scene of that time.[2]

Tensnake's single "Coma Cat"hit the European charts in 2010 and was one of the most successful nu-disco tracks of that time.[29]

Back to mainstream: early 2010s–present[edit]

In the early 2010s, bands such asMetronomy,Hercules & Love Affair[12]andFriendly Firesstarted using nu-disco elements in their songs, bringing nu-disco back to mainstream popularity and critical acclaim.[3][12]Nu-disco artists Aeroplane andSoulwaxbecame massively influential and have been released on major labels, while other producers are commissioned anonymously to work for pop acts.[3]Steve Kotey, a member of cult bandChicken Lips,said in 2012: "30 percent of music in the charts have the feeling of this left-field disco production style in it. The producers give it that kind of shine that makes it more for radio than your DJ box. You can hear the electronic Chicken Lips stuff that was prevalent in 2003 in some ofLady Gaga's music ".[3]

In 2013, several disco- and funk-influenced songs charted as top hits, this time in a 1970s style. One source stated that the pop charts had more dance songs than at any other point since the late 1970s.[30]The biggest nu-disco hit of the year was "Get Lucky"byDaft Punk,featuringChic'sNile Rodgerson guitar.[30]The song was initially thought likely to be a leading candidate to become the summer's biggest hit that year; however, the song ended up peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks behind another major disco-styled song,Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines",which spent twelve weeks at number 1 on the Hot 100, and in the process became the eventual song of the summer itself.[30]Both were popular with a wide variety of demographic groups.[30]

From the mid-2010s onward, the trend has continued. Many majordance-popartists dabbled into the style.Taylor Swiftand producerAli Payamiincorporated nu-disco influences into Swift's 2015 single "Style".[31]Calvin Harrisreleased the nu-disco and funk[32]albumFunk Wav Bounces Vol. 1in 2017, which reached high positions on the British and American charts.Dua Lipareleased the nu-disco[33]albumFuture Nostalgiain 2020, which also topped the charts. The album spawned the nu-disco single "Don't Start Now",which peaked at number 2 on theBillboard Hot 100.[34]In 2020,Róisín Murphyreleased a nu-disco albumRóisín Machinewhich received widespread critical acclaim.[35]Róisín Machine's first single, "Simulation", came out in 2012. In November 2020, Australian singer-songwriterKylie Minogue,a nu-disco pioneer and stalwart, released her fifteenth studio albumDisco,with Culture Fix describing the lead singleSay Somethingas an "elegant nu-disco anthem".[36]

In May 2020,Studio 54,the former nightclub and 1970s center of disco culture, launched a record label called Studio 54 Music, featuring newly re-imagined versions of classic club disco tracks byDon RayandT-Connection.[37]

Characteristics[edit]

Drum groove[edit]

Since nu-disco is a dance genre first and foremost, the drum grooves are an essential part. They often feature four-on-the-floor beats with an organic, lively feel based on the sounds of classic disco recordings by Chic, Sister Sledge, and others.[38]In some cases, producers will sample these grooves directly.

Live instrumentation[edit]

While modern production is abundant with synthesized sounds, many nu-disco records are, in the disco tradition, driven by guitar or bass licks. Guitarist, producer, and songwriterNile Rodgersbrought riffs to the forefront of the groove with Chic in the 1970s and again with Daft Punk in 2013.[38]Other notable modern examples include "Baby I'm Yours" byBreakbotand "Holding On" byClassixx.[39]"Be Good 2 Me" byLuxxuryis an example of mi xing live instrumentation (bass, guitar, vocals) with samples (beats, percussion).

Synthesizers[edit]

As with other electronic genres, nu-disco producers use both digital and analog synths to create melodic and harmonic lines, and add ambiance and color to their records.Gigameshuses a heavily synthesized sound while still retaining old-school influences in tracks such as "Back to Life", andPoolsideuses atmospheric synths to complement their drum, bass, and guitar sounds in "Do You Believe".[39]

Arrangement[edit]

Unlike its disco precursors, nu-disco and disco house are not beholden to song forms that are essential to the modern pop idiom. Rather than following the traditional verse-chorus model, nu-disco tends to take after its electronic cousins, with more drawn-out, repetitive sections that slowly ramp up to the chorus and back down again. Otherwise monotonous lines are brought to life with the use of filters, samples, and other subtle changes in the sound or groove over time in ways that make people want to keep dancing.Daft Punk's "One More Time" is considered one of the most influential examples of the application of "filter disco."[40]

Notable labels[edit]

  • Black Cock Records (UK)was founded byDJ Harvey,and operated primarily in the 1990s. The label issued disco mixes and re-edits, and encouraged many young DJs on the label to incorporate disco elements into their house mixes, despite it being out of fashion at the time.[11]
  • Nuphonic Records (UK),which carries releases from a range of electronic genres and subgenres, helped launch a number of acts in the 1990s and early 2000s includingFaze Actionand Raj Gupta, and was one of the early pioneers of collaboration, fusion of genres, and live performance in disco house and beyond. The label has been suggested as the origin of the phrase "nu-disco".[41]
  • DFA Records(NYC)was initially started byJames Murphyas a platform to launch his and his bandLCD Soundsystem's music. The label has released records from a number of dance rock and nu-disco acts, including its first hit withThe Raptureand nu-disco/electronica projectThe Juan MacLean.[42]
  • Roche Musique(FR)is a progressive nu-disco and chill electronica label on the French scene. Citing the importance of the "French Touch", artists such as FKJ and Darius have released records on the label.[43]
  • Ballroom Records (US)was a label that produced a large number of bootleg re-edits released aswhite labels.

Notable artists[edit]

See also:Category:Nu-disco musicians
  • French duoDaft Punkhas had a significant influence on nu-disco and numerous genres related to it. Their albumsHomework,the Grammy-winningRandom Access MemoriesandDiscoverycontain several reinterpretations of classic disco records, and they collaborated withNile Rodgerson the hit single "Get Lucky".Although many French artists in the French house scene have produced music associated with nu-disco, Daft Punk are the most recognised name in the scene internationally.[44]
  • Dimitri From Paris,another French artist, is also strongly associated with the genre.[11]Rather than focusing on 1970s pop records, he uses eclectic sources for samples such as 1950s jazz, Latin exotica, and film soundtracks.[45]
  • Norwegian producerHans-Peter Lindstrømpioneered a new sound in European clubs that became a precursor to nu-disco. With a musical background spanning from country and rock to gospel and jazz,[46]Lindstrom's "Norse House", which has gained an international reputation, evoked many of the elements of 1970s disco. Other Norwegian producers connected to the scene are Lindstrom's studio matePrins Thomasand protegeTodd Terje.[47]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  2. ^abcde"Spin Magazine – February 2008 – Reviews (Page 46)".Spin: Digital archives.Spin Magazine. Archived fromthe originalon 16 April 2009.
  3. ^abcdefg"The Joy Of Nu Disco".prsformusic.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  4. ^Lowrey-Rasmussen, Logan (2016-06-29)."3 Nu Disco / Disco House Tracks That Keep the Funk Alive In 2016".relentlessbeats.Retrieved2019-02-20.
  5. ^Hutchinson, Kate (9 June 2016)."Dan Lissvik: Midnight review – suitably eclectic Balearic beat revival".The Guardian.Retrieved20 February2019.
  6. ^abHervé (12 August 2011)."Moombahton, Nu-Jungle, Future Garage? Let Hervé explain".The Guardian.Retrieved20 February2019.
  7. ^abcdGrodzins, Quinn (2017-08-14)."What We Like – Nu-Disco".EDM Identity.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  8. ^abc"A 10 Track Guide To The Funky World Of Old-School Disco Re-Edit Services".Telekom Electronic Beats.2019-06-26.Retrieved2021-03-28.
  9. ^"Starter: Todd Terje: 15 Essential Rarities."Pitchfork.19 February 2014.Retrieved2015-12-08.
  10. ^"10 of the most influential disco labels of the last decade".Mixmag.Retrieved2021-03-28.
  11. ^abcdefghijkl"Every summer is 'The Summer Of Disco': Your essential 'Nu-Disco' primer (part one)".DangerousMinds.2013-06-04.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  12. ^abcde"MN2S Genre Focus: Nu Disco | Features".MN2S.2017-05-30.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  13. ^Nash, Rob (2002-10-19). "Clubs: New Releases: Tutto MattoHot Spot".The Independent.
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  15. ^"The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s".Fact.December 1, 2010.RetrievedDecember 1,2010.
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  17. ^abc"A short guide to Norwegian space disco".Red Bull.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  18. ^Baines, Josh (2016-04-13)."A Bullshitter's Guide to Cosmic Disco".Vice.Retrieved2020-05-13.
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  21. ^Lynskey, Dorian (2010-07-29)."Vito de Luca of nu-disco hitmakers Aeroplane on becoming a one-man band".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  22. ^ab"Lifelike".Storms DJs.Retrieved20 February2019.
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  25. ^Andrew Zistler (2017-11-28)."An Interview With LIFELIKE".NewRetroWave – Stay Retro! | Live The 80's Dream!.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  26. ^"Miami Horror: All Possible Futures".PopMatters.2015-05-06.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  27. ^"Bag Raiders prep debut album".Resident Advisor.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  28. ^CU; Pete (2019-09-04)."Beatport Updates its 'Nu Disco' and 'Indie Dance' Genre Categories".CU.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  29. ^"Coma Cat – Defected".Defected Records.Retrieved20 February2019.
  30. ^abcd"It's Happy, It's Danceable and It May Rule Summer".The New York Times.30 May 2013.
  31. ^Lansky, Sam (October 23, 2014)."Review: 1989 Marks a Paradigm Swift".Time.Archived fromthe originalon November 1, 2014.RetrievedNovember 1,2014.
  32. ^"Calvin Harris: Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1".Spectrum Culture.2017-07-27.Retrieved2020-05-13.
  33. ^WHETHAM 03/30/20 9:26pm, ALEX."Dua Lipa's 'Future Nostalgia' is a slightly disappointing nu-disco dance party".ubspectrum.Retrieved2020-05-13.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  35. ^Borrelli, Gianni (7 October 2020)."Róisín Murphy on her new album 'Róisín Machine' and why we're all living in a 'simulation'".Pitchfork.Retrieved19 July2022.
  36. ^"Pop Icon Kylie Minogue Releases Elegant Nu-Disco Anthem 'Say Something,' Reveals 'DISCO' Album Details – Culture Fix".Retrieved2022-12-25.
  37. ^Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (21 May 2020)."Studio 54 Launches Record Label".Pitchfork.Retrieved2020-05-21.
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  42. ^"Shut up and sell the hits: Jonathan Galkin on 15 years of DFA Records".the Guardian.December 2015.Retrieved2015-12-08.
  43. ^"ROCHE MUSIQUE".wanderlustparis.Archived fromthe originalon 2015-12-10.Retrieved2015-12-08.
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  46. ^"RA: Lindstrom".Resident Advisor.Retrieved2015-12-08.
  47. ^"Every summer is 'The Summer Of Disco': Your essential 'Nu-Disco' primer (part two)".DangerousMinds.2013-06-07.Retrieved2015-12-08.

External links[edit]

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