Chicago Boys - Dance Department

7 Oct

Lithuania's Chicago Boys hit the Acid Works label with a throwback to Chicago acid sound. The Chicago Boys aim to modernise the old-school Chicago sound, taking heavily from past pioneers and incorporating similar quality-of-life changes such as crisper production.

Acid is one of the most challenging genres to make a name within, as it is a genre famed for its limitations and, in 2024 de, minds creativity and outside-the-box thinking. Tracks must incorporate a sense of personality, whether aggressive distortions, Spacey delays, or immersive atmospheres. Due to no fault of their own, trying to emulate that original Chicago style leaves little in the way of experimentation, as those early pioneers weren't competing with the sheer number of tracks we have today. It's also hard to impart personality to a genre that's been so saturated with releases. The Chicago Boys show glimpses of originality throughout the record. Still, the adherence to the Chicago sound too closely invites criticism of being derivative.

The record shines in its clean modernist production as the boys compliment the 303 with gritty percussion, echoing Paranoid London's style on 'All Night Long'. It's the same with the follow-up 'Hot In Here', which balances a somewhat edgy riff with cosmic pads that add to its charm and incorporate a sense of wonder and otherworldliness. The Chicago Boys struggle to commit to a style fully, as they flitter between remaining old school or bringing a modern aesthetic to their work. One of the key examples of this indecision is the track 'Free Your Mind', which has the weakest riff on the record and needs to be more varied. The fantastic vocals filled with gravitas and presence save the track from obscurity. When Chicago Boys put their minds to it, energy and passion flow through their productions. The track 'Safety System' ventures into that classic sound, incorporating spluttering percussion and grooving ghetto house-inspired vocal chops that bombard the audience with energy. 'Love In The Club' has the most robust riff on the release. The 303 is appropriately modernised with a darker tone, correctly capturing the warehouse sound. The Chicago boys keep a little late 80s and early 90s Campinas with The base and crash symbols, making that best Sugar Hill gang impression on the Chicago style vocals on the final piece of the puzzle being sexy, soulful, and adequately augmented with effects.

The early sound of acid has heavily influenced the Chicago Boys, and they're attempting to emulate some of their favourite records. However, the stand-out moments of creativity and musicality come from their departure from that original sound. It feels as though the Chicago Boys are making a period piece, attempting to revitalise a genre dear to their hearts while simultaneously having aspirations to achieve more. Due to this balance they deliver a slightly confused record, unsure of what it wants to be. On the one hand, you've got some tight classic Chicago sounds coming through, but on the other, you've got the more interesting modernist and characterful elements. The Chicago Boys sound like they could revolutionise the acid sound once they get out of their own way and stop trying to revitalise it. Regardless, it's a solid record worth a listen, especially if you have an affinity for the classics.

Dance Department by Chicago Boys releases on the 10th of October, 2024.

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