Formation - Look at the Powerful People (2017)

Produced by Leon Vynehall and Ben Baptie, Look At The Powerful People demonstrates that Formation’s forward-thinking sonics have evolved to reach their full potential. Highlights such as On The Board and A Friend capture Formation’s irrepressible and bass-heavy cocktail of dirty dance rhythms which pound with the fiery energy of their live performances. At the other extreme, Blood Red Hand in an understated, slow-burning anthem and the closing track Ring offers something entirely different with a dreamy, piano-orientated approach closing the album on an upbeat high. In addition to the new tracks, the album also features fresh new productions of some of the key singles from Formation’s journey to date in the shape of Pleasure and Drugs.

Inspired by artists as diverse as Sly and the Family Stone, John Maus, Fugazi, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Herbie Hancock, Theo Parrish, Beastie Boys, Pantera and Ornette Coleman, Formation have built a cult following as well as exponential critical acclaim including a nomination for Best Newcomer at the NME Awards.
credits

Will Ritson - Vocals / Drum Kit / Percussion
Matt Ritson - Synthesizers / Piano / Bass
Jonny Tams - Bass / Synthesizers / Programming
Sasha Lewis - Synthesizers / Programming
Kai Akinde-Hummel - Drum Kit / Percussion

"As the career of rappers the Mitchell Brothers illustrates, an endorsement from Mike Skinner is no guarantee of success. The Streets star’s current favourites, south London band Formation – founded by twins Will and Matt Ritson – might have been a more enticing proposition had they emerged in the early 00s. Their snarling debut album, all cowbells and warped grooves, is competent punk-funk that rarely deviates from the model established by the Rapture and LCD Soundsystem, whose vocals singer Will slavishly imitates. But while the opener, Drugs, is Formation at their worst – sloganeering masquerading as analysis – the supple Blood Red Hand proves they could be far more than bit-part players in a genre that peaked 12 years ago." Paul Mardles

Track List:
1. Drugs (04:17)
2. Pleasure (04:12)
3. Powerful People (04:12)
4. Back Then (04:37)
5. On the Board (04:32)
6. Gods (04:31)
7. Buy and Sell (03:24)
8. A Friend (04:01)
9. Blood Red Hand (03:34)
10. Ring (06:38)