When James Murphy mournfully lamented “New York, I Love You,” bringing the much-praised Sound of Silver to a close, few expected to hear from LCD Soundsystem again. Is it any wonder then, that when a copy of This is Happening turned up online before the release date, many fans ignored Murphy’s plea to wait? Happening offers up Murphy’s legendary high-energy, stamina-breaking dance beats, three years refined and clearly the best work he’s done with the band yet. Opening with fast-paced ode-to-the-’80s singles “Dance Yrself Clean” and “Drunk Girls,” Happening quickly settles into a gorgeous electro-landscape, replete with quick-witted (if sense-dullingly repetitive) lyrics and synthetic orchestras to put even the most veteran New Waver to shame. Honest LCD fans have no worry—this is well worth the wait.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2010.