Client, the UK duo comprised of Kate Holmes and Sarah Blackwood, has just released its first remix album called Untitled Remix. Known for their icy electronic sound, catchy tunes and flight attendant uniforms, they’ve brilliantly reinvigorated the early 1980s futurist scene with their albums Client (2003), City (2004) and Heartland (2007).
If the voices sound familiar, take note that Blackwood is the former lead singer of Dubstar, who crafted some of the best Brit downbeat/pop music in the late ’90s. Unlike Dubstar, though, Client has a much harder edge and is far more dancefloor friendly. Untitled Remix collects the best remixes from the last few years, previously scattered across various formats, and adds some new music into the mix, including “Suicide Sister,” a new duet with raspy-voiced former Nitzer Ebb frontman Douglas McCarthy.
One of their more recent singles “Drive” gets a whopping four versions on Remix, including the minimalist techno treatment by Eyerer and Namito. But the best version, by Boosta, turns a fast-paced electropop song into a haunting, folky rendition not typical of Boosta at all.
The Unterart remix of “Lights Go Out” is another highlight but the biggest surprise here is an N-Joi remix of “Zerox Machine” which turns the track into an epic, anthemic club stomper. For those with long memories, N-Joi was huge in the early ’90s house scene, so it’s great to hear from them again.
“Der Amboss,” the album’s hardest track, is a collaboration with German techno pioneers Die Krupps and features stabbing synths and industrial effects reminiscent of Depeche Mode circa 1983.
Not only does Untitled Remix highlight the diversity of Client’s music, but it displays a willingness to experiment and push their sound in new, sometimes unexpected, directions.
The remixers here really shine. For a compilation this one has some thought put into it. It’s not just remixes, but more a collection of different visions of their recent singles.
Though it would have been nice to round out the package with some earlier material as well (“Price Of Love” or “Radio” for example) Untitled Remix is a welcome addition to their discography.
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