Digitalism - Mirage

It's hard to believe that it's been over a decade since Digitalism broke through with their anthemic "Zdarlight." Nu-rave and dubstep came and (largely) went; hip-hop morphed into trap; and EDM made pop stars out of dance DJs. Back with their third album, Mirage - some five years on from sophomore record I Love You, Dude - the German duo have wisely resisted any vogues or trends. Instead, they present a record that takes their much-loved sound and opens it up to new permutations and possibilities. Mirage sees Digitalism return in their most complete and coherent incarnation yet; the album spanning euphoric radio-friendly electronic pop and guttural dancefloor bangers with equal aplomb. Their songwriting craft has stepped up a notch too, their vocal tracks delivered with more conviction than ever and once again firmly placing them in a position as an act with big crossover potential. With a newly focused approach, the duo put together Mirage in the relatively short space of six months. "This time the production felt so natural and clear," says Isi. "Our secret is our new light-heartedness."The album was inspired by "deprivation and travel" - a nod to both the trials of their extensive touring that has taken them everywhere from Coachella to Melt!, and their respective residences in London (Jence) and Hamburg (Isi). "Usually, the best ideas just come to us when there's not much going on immediately around us," Jence explains of their creative process. "When you're forced to imagine things, that's when inspiration is best. You know, when you switch off the light in our bunker studio, it's really dark, and there's nothing - until you start creating things in your head - and then as music."