Holger Zilske’s Smash TV has returned with a new partner, Berliner Kai Preussner, and their “comeback” release is also the first not on BPitch Control, released on Mobilee sub-label Leena Music. While the outfit’s name is as unfortunate as ever, the warm, disco-inflected beats presented on World Wide Wet are certainly welcome. “World Wide Wet” takes its time establishing a broad rhythm from a phased piano loop and subtly pounding bass lines, but the duo’s preference for odd rhythms makes its entrance with the weird flanged drum sounds that seem to tumble down from above. The duo teases diva vocals — again, filtered, giving the whole thing a sleek, futuristic sheen — pulling the groove back and forth like slow-motion elastic.
Smash TV generally use the same elements for the other two tracks, but it’s a pleasing formula. “Disrespectful” is standard loungey piano house dressed up in high production values, coasting on cliched vocal samples but it works a low-grade tool. Wedged in the middle is an absolute gem; “Eating Bullets” starts off unassumingly, but once the tunneling bass line comes in, all bets are off. The track engineers the kind of enviable bliss you want to last all night long, busting wide open for a Balearic laser show; the piano blurs and turns to liquid, thoughtlessly jostled back and forth between beats as cool droplets splash off of each drum hit. It’s as meaty as any disco groove and as sensuous and low-slung as the best deep house, all wrapped up in one impeccably polished music — shiny consumerism never sounded so good. That’s really what Smash TV are selling here: unabashed mass appeal. Who doesn’t like big vocals, boisterous piano, and state-of-the art production? Smash TV aren’t re-inventing the wheel, but they may have found a way to make the same old thing a bit more fun for a few minutes.
Amazing!!!!!!