LCD Soundsystem: This Is Happening (2LP) [DFA]

Why you'll love it

This Is Happening was meant to be LCD Soundsystem's farewell, and James Murphy went out swinging: nine long, euphoric dance-rock songs that scored a Metacritic 84 and the band's highest US chart peak.

This edition

• 2LP set, 9 tracks
• DFA pressing
• Produced by James Murphy

About the album

James Murphy had always said LCD Soundsystem would make three albums and stop, and This Is Happening was supposed to be the last word. Recorded in a rented Los Angeles mansion and inspired by Bowie, Eno-era Talking Heads and '80s synth-pop, it's a record of long, patient grooves that build and build until they explode.

"Dance Yrself Clean" famously spends three minutes whispering before the synths crash in (turn it up before that happens), "I Can Change" is a heartbroken synth-pop gem, "All I Want" is a towering Heroes-style anthem, and "Home" closes things with a hug. The band came back years later, but this still feels like the high point.

Also at Kops: more LCD Soundsystem on vinyl · browse Electronic

Tracklist

Listen

On DFA, first out in 2010.