aaamusic | On 25, Aug 2011

Ali Renault

‘Ali Renault’

Cyber Dance

“Expect bodice-ripping cold future Italo and sweaty tri-lingual disco epics” Resident Advisor

“Wait for all the crazy girls to climb on top of the speakers to push the roof up” 20 Jazz Funk Greats

“His forthcoming album is a true work of art” Feel My Bicep

Listen: http://soundcloud.com/ali-renault/07-smearing-the-edges/s-pvhua

This winter Cyber Dance records present the hotly anticipated self titled debut album by Ali Renault – formerly one half of the acclaimed duo Heartbreak.

Ali has crafted a stunning, nocturnally-minded LP that is equal parts Detroit, Rimini, The Hague and London. The best types of electronic throbs are all present. Italo, cosmic, EBM, hi NRG, original electro, synth pop and techno have been melted down and fused together into new shapes – simultaneously familiar and fresh.

Like all great machine music, Ali has crafted an album that combines melancholy, musicality, serious dancefloor clout and just a touch of camp. Opening track ‘Snowdrift’ (featuring Marika Gauci of cult London band Hotel Motel), is one of just two sung tracks on the album, and serves as a gateway from the sound of Heartbreak into uncharted, shadowy depths.

From the mournful beauty of ‘Mont Chaberton’, the powerful, John Capenter-esque ‘Zombie Raffle’, the electro-space-funker ‘Dignitas Machine’, to the stealthily dangerous arpeggios of ‘Flies a’Kungan’, Renault coaxes genuine feeling and personality from the black boxes.

The slasher-flick-disco gem ‘Fade Away’ boasts guest vocals from 1980s Italian disco icon Fred Ventura, and that mesh of old and new, darkness and light best sums up where Mr Renault’s head is right now.

For nearly a decade, Ali has built steady momentum through an impressively multi-genre-d attack. As well as his own releases, Renault co-runs two labels: the stark electro imprint Human Shield, and original Italo-disco revivalists Cyberdance.

Although unified by a love of raw, undiluted electronic music, there are a few different Ali Renaults. You may know him for his stream of praised solo releases on quality labels including Dissident and Moustache Records. Or perhaps his sinister alter ego Cestrian with releases on Bunker, MNX & SOM. A sign of his versatility can be seen in the disparate acts that have recruited him for remix duties, including Bloc Party, Neon Neon, Saint Etienne, Teenagersintokyo, Ajello and Simian Mobile Disco.

You may also know Ali through his high profile success as one half of electro-pop duo Heartbreak. Their aggressive update of early 80s Eurodisco, saw them both pre-empt and define the recent Italo revival and they performed with an intensity that earned them their own brilliantly ridiculous genre name – ‘metalo’. They gained rave coverage in publications including the NME and The Guardian, collaborations and remixes for Little Boots and Sugababes, plus tours with the likes of La Roux, The Presets and Cut Copy. Having firmly proved their point with hit 2008 debut album, ‘Lies’, the band have now moved on to new personal quests. Having dwelled underground, making music and generally living life for the past few years, Ali Renault’s first solo album demonstrates that he’s a serious contender and marks a welcome return to the wider music world.

Cyber Dance records http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12317554841&v=info

Other Ali Renault music on Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/ali-renault

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/alirenault