Moderna’s “Loftlovers” Remix Is a Pulsing, Cosmic Jam

Los Angeles–based French duo Scratch Massive (Sebastien Chenut and Maud Geffray) wrap up 2016 with a new label, bORDEL, and its first EP: Loftlovers by Sebastian Chenut, featuring vocals by Chloè, cofounder of Parisian underground imprint Kill the DJ and former Rex Club resident. Loftlovers achieves bORDEL’s stated goal of showcasing authentic sounds from Paris and L.A. by combining the psychedelia of acid house and the kick of electro funk favored at California raves with the futuristic energy of new wave and the finesse of filtered Eurodisco that informs French electronica.

The original downtempo electro version of “Loftlovers” builds slowly to a simple break before escalating into a prolonged, acid-tinged groove. It’s brooding and seductive, and you feel trapped at times, but you’re buoyed by its steady, undulating rhythm, so you flow with it. The rave-ready Voiron remix kicks up the acid right away and plays with Chloè’s vocals more, panning, pitching, stretching, swirling them over a bouncier beat. The third mix on the EP by Moderna was also one of the Ghostly cohort’s favorite projects.

“After having already worked with Chloè on my last EP, and being a fan of Scratch Massive, I was thrilled when asked to do the ‘Loftlovers’ remix,” Moderna told Insomniac, touting the original’s “lovely production and some of the best sounds to play around with.” And play she did. The Moderna mix is a pulsating, cosmic jam of dubby acid house set against a dark expanse of throbbing minimal techno funk. It’s as spacious, elegant, and massive a track as you would expect from everyone involved.

Scratch Massive have been vital players in the evolution of the electronic scene since forming in 1999. Most recently, they worked with Jimmy Sommerville and Gus Gus’ Daniel Agust, and scored soundtracks for Zoe Cassavetes. A versatile art and music unit, their next project will be Sebastian’s upcoming mini LP Motor of Love, featuring a four-part experimental video series and more remixes, due out in January 2017.

Available now via bORDEL Records.