"I went back to recording in an incredibly simple and carefree way," says Joseph Mount of the British band's return to what he calls, "the essence of Metronomy"
As the creative force behind Metronomy, Joseph Mount’s rise from Autechre-inspired bedroom producer to one of the UK’s most charismatic electronic musicians has been accomplished; his band’s eccentric pop aesthetic unfolding over four albums – including 2008’s chaotic breakthrough album Nights Out and the super-slick, Mercury-nominated The English Riviera – and buoyant live shows that have made them festival favourites. A fifth album, Summer 08, is due out next month and is conceived as a return to the naivety of the band’s early releases, with Mount using the studio knowledge picked up on later albums to go back to what he calls "the essence of Metronomy". "I went back to recording in an incredibly simple and carefree way," he says. "I didn’t need to think about it – it’s nice to make a record that lives in the same world as Nights Out but that is better produced."
Collaborations with Robyn and Mix Master Mike add weight to an album that Mount says "connects modern day 33-year-old me to 17-year-old me" but that also coincides with a decision to step away from touring commitments to focus more on making music. "I didn’t want to wait three years between albums again so I thought it’d be nice to have a break from touring and still release music," he says. "Although when we do come back it’s going to be so much fun for everybody – we’ll have so much energy and enthusiasm." Ahead of Summer 08’s release, AnOther spoke to Mount about Metronomy’s journey from buzz band to British institution.
On returning to his roots...
"After releasing Nights Out I took myself off into a studio for the first time and recorded English Riviera, which has been my most successful album so far and also became the entry point to the world of Metronomy for a lot of people. Then there was Love Letters, where I wanted to make a record in an analogue way before the world had moved on. I love all the albums I’ve made but Nights Out is still the album that I still love most – I’ve jokingly referred to it as my masterpiece. Now it felt like the right time to go back into that world."
On taking a new direction...
"Whatever small-town goals I had when it came to recording, it was always important to me to be instinctive and if the music satisfies me then hopefully that will satisfy other people, too. After English Riviera, the obvious route would’ve been to make that same record again but that wasn’t where my head was at so after taking a breather, we made Love Letters when the focus was on the analogue way in which the album was made. And now we’re coming back and putting out an album that’s far more instantly gratifying."
On working with Robyn...
"I’d never tried to rope in big names or 'featured' vocalists before but with this one I thought, why not? Hers is an instantly recognisable perfect pop voice and having a new voice on the track give the lyrics a different feel. Having a voice like hers on the album suddenly makes my music sound more professional and gives it something that works well with my silly falsetto."
On negotiating the hype...
"I was quick to realise that being trendy and attached to something could be damaging and being conscious of that can really helps. When we were starting out there were loads of bands around who were far more hyped up than us. Our fame happened so gently that it has been incredibly easy to manage. Whether it was an NME cover or headlining our first festival, every significant thing that’s happened has felt like a genuine thing as it didn’t all happen at once. Which gives you enough time to really appreciate them."
On how he’s changed...
"I’ve gone from being an East London party boy to being a fully grown man with children. I’ve changed a huge amount of the responsibilities I have now but I still feel very connected to me eight years ago – I was younger and way more concerned about the next cool place to go out in London, whereas now I’d probably just go to Jaguar Shoes or something."
On the changing nature of electronic music...
"If you take Calvin Harris as a gauge then multiply that by, say, Diplo, then it’s clear that the more savvy bedroom producers have become world-conquering superstar DJs. Dance music has changed ridiculously – especially in the States – but at the same time it’s at odds with the club scene in Europe, where lots of venues have been closing down."
On his continued motivation...
"I like that instant reaction you have with an audience when on tour but it’s still the noodling around on a computer and making music that I find so enjoyable – there’s a kind of magic to sitting down for a few hours and putting that time into creating a song."
Summer 08 by Metronomy is due out on July 1, 2016
