While James Murphy concerns himself with coffee beans and subway station ambiance, Tyler McCauley's Motion Studies project is filling the gap left by LCD Soundsystem's absence. Motion Studies and its label, Godmode, aren't afraid to call “Distractions (Tough Mix)” precisely what it is: “Robin Thicke is Playing At My House”.
Built from the euphoric yelps of an Al Green performance on Soul Train, “Distractions (Tough Mix)” harkens to vintage NYC dance punk in order to capture a still life of a transplant's first six months in the Big Apple. On the spiraling chorus McCauley lists a highlight reel of “a million pixels at once / a thousand nights on repeat / I can't remember it all / it was a mutual dream”, but ultimately interpreting it as all part of the same bargain bin labeled “distractions.” Whether you live in NYC or if you've only visited for a brief stint, “Distractions (Tough Mix)” resonates as a two-front observation—sonically and lyrically—of the city's FOMO moustrap that will eat you alive if you don't wisen up with time.
“Distractions (Tough Mix)” is off upcoming Motion Studies' 12″ out soon on Godmode. Catch Motion Studies on Wednesday at Baby's All Right for the Godmode party.
