In the Dark of the Night

VINYL FORMAT. The one-two kick drum beat that starts "In the Dark of the Night" functions as a bit of a tease. Instead of merely establishing the languid pace of the track, it has the power of suggestion, and its stark nakedness raises the question of what will happen after the music fully launches. A few seconds later, a punch-drunk, flanging keyboard is the first clue that the listener is in for an off-kilter ride; the sauntering bassline that next appears adds a springy, funk bounce. But it's the tripped-out, multi-tracked vocals of Fernando Miranda Rios - a.k.a. Michoacan, the producer behind this slow reveal - that give the song its peculiar, space-y vibe. It's like David Byrne with funk aspirations and a vaguely cosmic feel. The B-side remix, courtesy of Italy's Clap Rules, feels like more of a re-build. The song has been taken apart and put back together with brand new parts. Instead of more relaxed, dazed funk at the core, it's a glittery, disco-ball-splattered track with glossy keys all around. "In the Dark of the Night" is Michoacan's debut DFA release. He has already created music for Grayhound, Headinghome, Lektroluvv, Smash Hit Music Co., Speak Recordings, Bearfunk and Tiny Sticks.