Antique

On their new album Elektrafone, Beats Antique takes an entirely different musical direction than on their previous releases. By bringing in guest producers such as ILL Gates and The Glitch Mob as well as exotic instruments ranging from the longneck banjo to the accordion, the trio has effectively conquered that goal – although they largely deviate from the “electro-jazz meets the Middle East” sound that they formed on 2007’s Tribal Derivations. The opening track “Cat Skillz” shows this evolution right from the start, with a distorted dubstep breakdown supported by the sound of trumpets, saxophones and synthesizers. There are still classic Beats moments, however, and the album reaching its apex on “Siren Song,” which includes dark reverberating piano and violin, with a creeping melody that bears resemblance to “Erase” off of 2008’s Collide.