If ever there was a band, artist or concept to have benefited from the endless possibilities of the internet age, then bright new duo Little Freak Things are a solid gold example of the innovative nature of music and technology, the result of a coming together of musical minds from different backgrounds, in a time when creativity seems to know no bounds.
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The creation of Nicolas Nekmouche, AKA Donovans and Maï-Lan Chapiron, a French singer/songwriter whose cover of French Rap crossover band La Caution caught Nicolas' ear and led to a chance music making session (borne from a chance encounter and hook up on MySpace). The product of their time so far culminates in their debut single, 'Nightfall'; a low-slung number that perfectly fits into Little Freaky Things' honed style -- her elegant, acute pop music glued together by his jackin' beats and percussion grooves, all molded into a block rocking beast . Paying homage to Stax-era funk and soul, the delicate guitar licks and tight bass-grooves of Nightfall hark back to the golden NYC '70s heyday of disco, funk and party sensibilities.
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In contrast, next up is 'What a Bad Day', a cosmic, psychedelic chugger, full of enchanting melodies, soothing backdrops and lightly dusted by electronic FX and harmonisations. Soaked in years of musical appreciation and a product of the days of boundary-less music, Little Freaky Things strive to create their music with the same drive and alt-pop sensibilities that keep their sound fresh and inventive. And coming from the home of crossover dance music, the French Touché is certainly alive and well in this rising Gaelic force.
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Up on remix duties, Nicolas dons his Donovans alias to give the lead track a floor-directed re-rub, showing why the likes of Turbo Recordings and Fools Gold seek to release his cuts (and why the likes Hudson Mohawke and Fake Blood asked for his remixing magic), with his take on 4-4 beats Bass leaning mischief maker Maelstrom goes under his Joaan guise for a 2step charged, UK funky roller that's already had steppers across the continent already in a seat. Respected French collective The Shoes make a return to the fray, chopping and pasting 'What a Bad Day' into a fractured beat-scene banger, whilst finally, rising newcomer Borussia comes in hard with an acid-tinged, broken beat tapestry that's still grounded in solid grooves behind its skewed beats.
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\"Nightfall/What a Bad Day\" EP is a taster of hat to come from this partnership as the worlds of dance and pop music collide in glorious fashion. Released through Nicolas' newly formed 11Heads Records imprint, it's just the beginning for a duo that seeks to create music without restrictions -- much like the climate in which this unique project as born. Written compositions galvanised by a dance-floor back-bone, Freaky Little Things do exactly what you expect them too -- get your body moving and soulgrooving.
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\"Parisian duo Little Freaky Things delivers a proper house tune that looks forward while respecting the roots of its culture.\" BILLBOARD
\" Listen to the groovin' mix that pays homage to early day happy house. With vocals that uplift by artfully layered soul bass and synthed-out pleasure-bytes, turn up the knobs now\" VIBE MAGAZINE
\"This is like a slap in the face with a wet fish, although the wet fish is replaced by a joy inducing electro-smasher.\" MIXMAG
