† [Cross]
by Justice

Album details

US: 10 July 2007 on Vice
UK: 11 June 2007 on Ed Banger Records

This is the debut full-length for the much-buzzed-about French house music duo of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay, who have borrowed more than just a manager, country, and band size from the Daft Punk playbook.

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The critical consensus

"The most impressive dance album of 2007," says Chart Attack, and they aren’t the only publication singing the praises of †. Expectations were high going in, but Gigwise says it’s "every bit as good as people have been hoping." Exclaim expects it to be "one of this year’s highlights," and the Observer calls it "a creative tour de force… Justice have unleashed an era-defining album for the children of acid house." CMJ also finds it one of the year’s best, finding it that "rare record that embraces disco hedonism and rock throttle." And the Washington Post calls Cross "the best electronic music album you’re likely to hear in 2007."

Also as expected, nearly every review mentions Daft Punk in some way (and wouldn’t Daft Punk love to get Daft Punk comparisons these days), although The Stranger finds Justice much heavier than DP and Playlouder calls the newer band’s music "altogether nastier, occasionally uglier stuff." Stylus calls the album "an astounding success" at establishing the band as "Daft Punk Jr."

Drowned in Sound claims that it’s "never less than fun." Similarly, Dotmusic found the disc lacking nuance, but said to "never underestimate the power of cheap thrills," although Pitchfork disagreed, stating "the album’s more varied than most folks will give it credit for." MusicOMH tempered its positive review with the observation that the pair’s self-professed "minimal knowledge of sound engineering" was telling on some tracks. Cokemachineglow found the album "massively enjoyable" despite a "total lack of substance."

Leave it to NME to offer a contrary view to the majority, finding moments "bland" and "frustrating." Urb finds that it’s a decent dance record and nothing more: "If you’re expecting to be saved by some next-level shit, this one’s not gonna cut it." And the Village Voice concurs, saying that Cross is "mainly just knuckle-headed big-tent dance music sans mystique."

People have been calling Justice ‘the new Daft Punk’, but that’s only half the story. This big, bold record is the sound of leaders – not followers.

-BBC

Review roundup

Tracklisting and media

1. Genesis
2. Let There Be Light
3. D.A.N.C.E.
   
   
4. Newjack
5. Phantom
6. Phantom Pt II
7. Valentine
8. The Party
9. Dvno
10. Stress
11. Waters of Nazareth
12. One Minute to Midnight

Also on the web

• Ed Banger Records
• Justice @ MySpace