The Juan Maclean – The Future Will Come (2009) [DFA] // Grade: B

Former Six Finger Satellite guitar & keyboardist, John Maclean continues with his transformation from a noise rocker and into a dance powerhouse with The Future Will Come. While his debut of Less than Human mostly felt like a scatterbrained and frenzied assortment of grooves, The Future Will Come is a methodically constructed album, featuring real songs rather than just beats & sequences.

The addition of Nancy Whang vocals to compliment those of Maclean’s not only makes this album feel more in line with DFA’s current deadpan dance aesthetic, but successfully recreates the bygone sound of such bands as The Human League, B-Movie & Celebrate the Nun. However, unlike fellow modern Synth-Poppers, Junior Boys, it’s evident Maclean feels content with simply reviving, rather than re-inventing. And when the result is put together this well, it’s hard to find fault with him not taking some risks. Maybe next time?

- My Pal the Crook