U.K. duo Josh Lloyd-Wilson and Tom McFarland are no strangers to dance. Growing up in London, a hub of hip new music, they’ve been surrounded by this generation’s ever-growing love for sleek electronic dance music. London is also rooted in musical history, however, home to funk and soul pioneers like Tom Jones and the Bee Gees. Instead of choosing allegiances, their project JUNGLE takes both traditions and swirls them into a highly danceable tour-de-force through the soul of yesterday, electrified by the rhythms of modern dance music. On their self-titled debut release, Jungle, the duo blend these influences masterfully.

So what do old-school funk and contemporary EDM have in common? Attention-grabbing vocal hooks, flashy synths, and an irresistibly groovy bassline. It combines the best of both worlds: each song is distinctive, with meticulous production and obvious attention to detail, but you could put this record on at a party and watch people dance right on through the song transitions. That’s how smooth it is. 

They know just when to pare down the sound. “Drops” is a smooth, sleek understatement of a track, replete with tantalizing hmmmms and spine-tingling sounds of creaking doors. Some of the tracks lean more to either direction – “Smoking Pixels” could be a b-side off Cupid Deluxe by fellow Londoner electro-sensation Blood Orange. “Busy Earnin'” is a straightforward throwback to old-school soul a-la-Marvin Gaye, with a head-shakingly-good chorus harmony that drops into firey synths and a wall of brass.

The production value on Jungle is truly phenomenal. Produced in Britain’s legendary XL Studios, it is flawlessly balanced. Everything is in place, down to the intentional background noises in “Accelerate.” The media buzz surrounding the tight-lipped duo has helped bring them to this point; the music they’ve created will take that role from this point on. “Right on time, still gon’ bring the heat,” a voice promises at the opening of lead single “The Heat” — and they deliver.

It is crucial that you listen to this album with the bass turned up. Electro and funk both exist to serve one purpose: to make people dance. The bass and beat combine to achieve that purpose unconditionally – just make sure your woofer is grounded and that your booty can handle it.

Jungle is available on iTunes.

-Asher Meerovich (@Bummertime)Â