Courtesy of Chromatics

From Chromatics’ past albums to its most recent, “Night Drive”, their sound has shifted from Sonic Youth-like post-punk to a more cosmic and synthesized sound similar to AIR or Junior Boys.

Old fans could agree that Chromatics sold out their initial sound, but this does not mean the Chromatics is not good at what they do now. With the help of their contemporaries on their current record label, Italians Do It Better (IDIB), the Chromatics will bedrock you until the morning light.

With the release of “Nite” in 2006, Chromatics dignified their new glamorous sound. On “Nite,” they sound like an Italian Daft Punk trying to throw a disco fever party. Before “Nite” was released, Chromatics hadn’t come out with an LP in two years.

Over those two years, they’ve gained and lost members, somehow putting producer Johnny Jewel in the forefront of this newest project. Jewel has taken IDIB artists to great heights in the electronica world. For example, Jewel is credited for the dark electro beats of Glass Candy, a successful IDIB band made up of former Chromatics members.

“Night Drive” is as sexy and seductive as the evocative album cover. Ruth Radalet takes hold of the microphone for the recording.

Radalet has a soft and slightly sensual voice, but often comes off emotionally detached. In “Tomorrow is So Far Away,” a song that reminisces something from the “Twilight Zone,” Radalet sounds like an ice princess in Alaska where the sun never sets. In the album’s entirety, the reverb in the synthesized keyboards makes the music sound as lonely as an empty dance floor.

The trio making up the Chromatics hit a home run on the fantastic Kate Bush cover, “Running Up That Hill.” Chromatics almost does it as good as when the Junior Boys did their magic on their reinterpretation of the splendid, “Sleep Tonight”, originally created by Stars.

The isolated sound that is made a theme on this record is captured by the nearly sixteen minute minimalist track, “Tick of the Clock.” Endless tracks similar to the latter mirror typical music you would hear in a horror movie. “Night Drive” leaves you on edge with eerie electronic staccatos and creepy song titles (eg. “The Killing Spree”). To title this LP “Night Drive” was an accurate move. The digital mysticism that takes over the record is much like the desolation and elusiveness you feel on a drive at night.

Occasionally, Chromatics incorporates down-tempo ’80s beats that serve as silver linings from the dreary tones often expressed.

“Night Drive” is without a doubt an introverted and deeply personal record. IDIB label has pushed the trio into being a laptop band, hands down. As a newbie to electronica, Chromatics makes a worthy effort to deserve some attention from fans of bands like Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim or Zero 7. This record is best appreciated in solitude; otherwise you will surely miss out on a plethora of subtle content that shapes this hushed album.

Joe Stahl can be reached at [email protected].