Gus Gus' first formal album as a full band was a quietly astonishing record -- the "new Sugarcubes" tag which the band gained was always misleading, since instead of that group's fractured avant-rock approach, Gus Gus always tended toward a mix of understatement and chilling power. Also, the collective had its roots much more firmly planted in dance, but not merely modern techno -- everything from exotica (opening track "Oh" prominently samples Arthur Lyman) to grimy hip-hop breaks formed the basis of Polydistortion. Combined with the cool restraint that defines all the band's work, notably present in Daniel Agust and Siggi's almost unearthly calm (but never totally dispassionate) singing, the result is an effective blend of styles that works from start to end. Lead single "Believe" gathered and held the most attention, and for very good reason. The inspired choice of Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Jazz" for the core rhythm sample was sharp enough, but with further arrangements contributing to the dark, glowering funk on display and Agust's subtle singing delivering either a vivid statement of religious commitment or a sly demolition of same, it becomes flat-out brilliant. No less brilliant lyrically and musically was "Is Jesus Your Pal?," with Siggi's almost childlike vocal a hypnotizing call over minimal, gripping accompaniment. Not everything is quite so heavy, though -- "Polyesterday," the other main single from the album, is a touch calmer, with Siggi's singing meshing with the jazz-funk of the track very well, if still cool all around the edges. Plenty of other strong tracks also appear, such as the gentle but no less compelling grooves of "Cold Breath '79," Siggi's vocals softly wafting among the beats, or the extended jam "Remembrance," both hot and cold at once.
Having explored lush, arty electronica on Polydistortion and eclectic pop on This Is Normal, the ever-changing Icelandic collective Gus Gus morph once again on their third album, Attention, stripping their ranks and songs down to the bare minimum. Now a quartet of DJs instead of a nine-piece project spanning actors, filmmakers, designers, and musicians, the group's musical vision is correspondingly more focused, concentrating on spare, simple rhythms; ironically cheesy synths; and sexy vocals. Along with their own Gus Gus Vs. T-World EP, Attention's chilly grooves have roots in old-school house, acid techno and synth pop; in particular, the tinny, mechanical beats; linear synth melodies; and breathy vocals on "Unnecessary" and "Dance You Down" recall the spare, icy sound of early-'80s groups like Bronski Beat. The album's harder edge and simpler arrangements make a good foil to the sexy voice of new member Urdur Hakonardottir (aka DJ Earth); while she's neither as ethereal nor versatile a singer as the group's former diva, Hafdis Huld, Earth sounds right at home with the group's new sound, singing such suggestive lyrics as "David"'s "I still have last night in my body." Daniel Agust, the group's other former vocalist, makes a special guest appearance on "Desire," a smoky, low-key track that mixes the squelchy, organic sound of Polydistortion with Gus Gus' newer, leaner approach. Despite the newfound focus the group displays on this album, nothing on Attention is as immediately accessible or pop-oriented as their previous albums; however, the extended, repetitive rhythms, knob-twiddling, and minimal lyrics on songs such as the title track, "Dance You Down," and "Call of the Wild" mark the album as Gus Gus' most dancefloor-oriented material yet. That doesn't necessarily mean that the group has sacrificed all of their eclecticism -- the fuzzed-out synths and pounding house rhythm of "IIE"; "Detention"'s dreamy synth-scapes; and "Don't Hide What You Feel"'s Latin-inspired percussion certainly show a range of expression within their new style -- but it does feel like the album is a reaction to all the genre-hopping that Gus Gus did in the past. Occasionally, the album's spare, simple approach feels chilly and monotonous, but when it all comes together, as on the percolating, insistent "Your Moves Are Mine," Attention reveals itself as a stylish, strangely romantic collection of club music.
