The past few years have been rough for the United States. Healthcare issues, unemployment going up, the value of the dollar going down, civil unrest, and some serious Tom Foolery on the political scene. It’s only right for music to reflect these hardships. Most people utilize music as an escape and it’s rewarding to hear someone in our speakers putting our frustration to words. However, by letting our favorite bands shout what we feel, we sort of lose the escapism element. Can music still be fun? Drop the needle on Goldmine, the latest album from Automagik and the answer is a resounding yes!
Throwing all political and social issues out the window, Automagik single-handly delivers the most fun we’ve had all year!
Formed in Cincinnati around 2010, Automagik has made a name for themselves with their insatiable style of dance rock. Despite being difficult to label just what it is they do, the best I can come up with is Bootsy Collins joining MGMT, doing songs written by Nile Rodgers. That makes zero sense right? That’s the beauty of Goldmine. It’s a smorgasbord of alternative rock, dance, glam, funk, and soul, all glittered up with big beats and pop hooks. Most importantly, it’s just straight up fun!
The problem with a lot of pop music is the eye-rolling need to resort to hip-hop beats. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some hip-hop, especially when it’s coming from an honest place. I just personally feel those generic flavors of appropriation have all but ruined what pop should be about. On the other side of the coin, dance music’s foray into ‘trap’ or whatever they call it, has turned clubs into seizure inducing endurance tests. Goldmine is the perfect counter to this culture. Every single song makes me want to dance and have a good time like no other record this year.
Even though Goldmine is a dance record like the days of old, Automagik is NOT a nostalgia band.
Despite flavors of Michael Jackson, Rick James, and even Sega Genesis-esque synthesizers, there isn’t a single shred of back-in-the-day-ism to be had on Goldmine. Sonically speaking, the bass is thick, beats tight, and guitars with that perfect amount of funkiness, it’s all 2018 when it comes to production. I can’t even remember the last time an album in this style has sounded this good. Hearing it on vinyl elevates the experience as well. It’s rich, warm, and pops when it needs to just like every release from Soul Step Records.
If 2018’s records were a call to arms at the front of every protest, Goldmine is your best friends taking you out on a night on the town with a rented convertible and a bottle of the strongest liquor available at the corner drug store. Automagik is a band to keep an eye on and there’s no doubt in my mind this album is the most fun your turntable will have all year.
Goldmine is available on vinyl exclusively through Soul Step Records.
For more information on Automagik, please visit them on Facebook