See you on the flipside

The great paradox of 2009 was the unpredictable disarray of the local club scene, contrasted with the incredible, vibrant list of albums and releases coming out all around. Never before did I hear so much amazing new music, and see so little response in the bars and venues.

Perhaps it was a year to regroup, go back to R&D and develop the next stylistic wave to proliferate, from within the studios and lofts and bedrooms. Something decidedly changed about the music scene over the past year, at least from my vantage point. Both the aggressive, buzzing, cacophony of the blog electro scene and the snooty, minimal European techno sounds played themselves out to their logical conclusions. Indie rock’s love affair with dance-club tracks seems to have receded, and the ironic art-house post-punk vibe is taking a breather. All the big party lofts are shut down and we’re back to square one.

Now newer, stranger, fresher sounds are on the horizon. Real, honest synth disco, psychedelic house, spooky dub, acid and Detroit techno are fully geared up for return, while the rise of the glitching masterpieces of experimental crunksters and the conceptual genius of artists like Fever Ray seem to be the order of the early part of the next decade.

As you’ve likely guessed by my wistful tone, this is 2009’s last installment of Disco Volante. It’s been a truly excellent year for dance music, though less so for the clubs, be it economically, legally or otherwise. On we charge into 2010, bottles in hand and magic digital wonder devices in pocket. Here’s hoping next year will feature as many amazing new artists and albums, and get back to those big, fun, underground, unpretentious, cheap and wild parties. Because that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Happy holidays.

PARTY LIKE IT’S NOT 2009!
jack.oatmon@gmail.com