Push Button Pony

Melbourne’s Decoy have nailed it with this their second artist album. While I found last year’s Not Responding To Light somewhat removed and uninvolved, Push Button Pony is evidence that they’ve expanded their appreciation for the more globally-popular progressive psytrance, and in adding their own flavours and touches, have created something very nice indeed.

Decoy’s use of live instruments – a custom double bass and saxophone aplenty – makes for a compelling live act, but historically it didn’t translate that well when recorded. Happily, there’s a certain wide-eyed spontaneity this time round and when it works, it works wonders.

From the opening strains of Fat Side Down you know you’re in for a treat – instantly absorbing, lazily fluid stuff that has you drawn deeply into the music and hanging for more. The fluidity balances with raw groove on Krosey, a theme which recurs across the album but that is probably best realised on the funky, lysergic Nothing But The Truth.

At times they fail to realise their potential: Wake In Fright is meandering and self-indulgent, Spamburger is neither here nor there, and the Sensient-bothering Silly Sex has you thinking that they’re trying to reinvent an already perfect wheel.

It’s the two closing tracks that are really special here. Axis Mundi unravels like a glorious traveller’s tale, with sounds intertwined and possibly the best use of live instruments across the whole album. And with Ghost Kisser, they combine lush melodies with raw funk to create something pretty special: flecked with micro-noises and ever-shifting, it’s their most cohesive stab at making something genuinely brand new and unique.

Push Button Pony is a hugely satisfying album. I still don’t think Decoy have peaked, and if they can steer themselves away from their urges to be exploratory and concentrate on making dancefloors move, they’ll take over the world. Despite its shortcomings, it’s an addictive album and one that encourages repeat listening. In a climate where that’s becoming an increasingly rare thing, that in itself is something to be applauded.