With each album they release The Juan MacLean make big strides forward – and with ‘In A Dream’ they have repeated the trick, establishing themselves as DFA’s flagship act now that LCD Soundsystem are no more. Rather than just John MacLean the act is now most definitely a duo, because vocalist Nancy Whang brings so much to the overall sound, and her deadpan vocals are brilliantly done. ‘In A Dream’ takes them further into the 1980s, and finds them with a bit of a Moroder fixation – but rest assured, that is definitely a good thing, from the moment the chugging synths kick into action on the substantial opener ‘A Place Called Space’. By the time we get to ‘Here I Am’ it’s easy to imagine the crowded dancefloor, and this is just the sort of tune that would get a big cheer as soon as the brightly lit keyboards come in. Funk is never far from MacLean’s thoughts where the bass is concerned – just check out the start of ‘Running Back To You’ for confirmation – while ‘A Simple Design’ is just fantastic, bringing in touches of early house to go with a vocal that suggests MacLean’s kept up on his Bowie. So much good stuff in the space of just nine tracks – all of which are club anthems in the making, including the closing ‘The Sun Will Never Set On Our Love’, a blissful Balearic number. They put this record right at the top of the pile.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
