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- Summary: The sixth full-length studio release for the Belgian trio of David Dewaele, Stephen Dewaele and Stefaan Van Leuven was completed in just under two weeks.
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- Record Label: PIAS
- Genre(s): Electronic
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 4 out of 5
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Mixed: 1 out of 5
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Negative: 0 out of 5
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Jun 26, 2018This album was submitted to Radio 1 in lieu of a mix, and in many ways it works better when considered on those terms. Because lots of the tracks have a similar vibe they could blend in perfectly well with each other, and it’s a shame that they don’t overlap at any point as this could have improved the overall experience. However, the album is still immensely enjoyable and generously rewards repeat listens.
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UncutJun 26, 2018Purring, pulsing and bathed in neon, this might actually be their essential release. [Aug 2018, p.35]
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Jul 12, 2018Essential isn't as essential as its title suggests, but don't let that stop you from seeking it out. It has more of the loveable chaos that once made Soulwax among the most important acts in electronic music. This time it's more controlled.
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Jun 26, 2018Essential is a strange, adventurous and ultimately enjoyable collection of half-finished, fully realized songs that could only have been crafted by artists as musically brazen and tenured as Soulwax.
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Q MagazineJun 26, 2018The whole exercise has an infectious exuberance, even if it isn't quite the must-have document its title suggests. [Summer 2018, p.114]
Score distribution:
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Positive: 1 out of 1
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Mixed: 0 out of 1
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Negative: 0 out of 1
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Nov 13, 2020not Soulwax's finest hour but still a solid album, no particular tracks stand out but as an hour long house mix it's pretty darn good
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