Those expecting a worthy if belated sequel to 2006’s Movements will be disappointed.
Era-defining records, especially in terms of the hyper-accelerated eras of dance music, can often become an albatross around their creators' necks: last season's essential tune is today's sonic throwback. But completely changing tack between albums can be treacherous, too, as Booka Shade discovered when they followed up their acclaimed second album Movements (2006) with The Sun & the Neon Light (2008). Where Movements sprang agilely between electro-house, minimal, Metro Area-style disco and the Cologne label Kompakt's branded fusion of techno and pop – and included, in Body Language, Mandarine Girl and In White Rooms, three of the most ubiquitous club tracks of 05/06 – the latter album was a leaden plod into more brooding territory, awash with live orchestration and 'proper' songs, that didn't seem to play to Arno Kammermeier and Walter Merziger's undoubted talents.