We were sent a few tracks from Dim Sum, one being the new single ‘High Love.’ Here’s my first listen reactions.

Dim Sum – High Love

Listening to this you can immediately sense the summer vibes. There’s female vocals, disco drums, bass and synth (perhaps 2-3 at play). There’s a few background samples. Side note: Dim Sum is an awesome band name, as well as a great culinary option. ‘High Love’ seems reminiscent of Major Lazer’s ‘Peace is the Mission’.

Odesza – White Lies feat. Jenni Potts (Dim Sum Remix)

The Dim Sum remix of ‘White Lies’ features another driving beat, rhythmic keyboard, and layered female vocals. There’s an EDM style slow build. Song lyrics unfold over buildup. Resulting in a simple, house, chill, almost lounge sound. ‘White Lies’ has an ambient feel. Perhaps part of the soundtrack to the most chilled out dance party ever.

Foster the People – Best Friend (Dim Sum Remix)

The Dim Sum remix of ‘Best Friend’ has that unmistakable French House sound. Lead vocal heavy on reverb, drums and synth sound familiar and certainly courtesy of Dim Sum. Dim Sum uses the lead vocals as melodies and driving core of the remix. About a minute in, things get very camp, synthy and dancey in a Junior Senior way. I don’t like the ‘Best Friend’ remix as much as I liked ‘White Lies’. The beats don’t always seem to sync with the voice. Later on in the track things get better, seamless and pleasant.

Christine and the queens – Saint Claude (Dim Sum Remix)

The Dim Sum remix of ‘Saint Claude’ features the familiar Dim Sum four to the floor beats, minimal synth and up front vocals, as well as the trademark popping bass, and minimal background guitar. Almost reminiscent of Jamiroquai’s instrumentation and style mashed with Sigur Ros’s pacing.

Dim Sum – ‘Coucou Disco’

‘Coucou Disco’ is a Dim Sum original. This shines, drums more varied featuring liberal use of tom samples. The bass is bright, and Dim Sum makes great use of a vocoder effect on the background vocals. A synthy guitar or banjo sample plays lead.

So we’re dealing with arpeggios, vocoder’d voice, and the four-to-the-flour beat (disco). You’ll either love this or hate this. I can see the merits to both sides. But choose the former. In some ways Dim Sum is VERY formulaic, but in other ways, its awesome. You have to forgive it for its cliches to see the dance factory within. But dance factory Dim Sum certainly is.

Written by Sandeep Sehbi