Since the famed French label Kitsune burst onto the scene, it has been revolutionary in churning out world famous acts faster than chicks dancing on speed. With a long list that now boasts the biggest names in dance music at the moment, it would be blatant bragging to name them all. Needless to say however, thanks to Kitsune, we have been given a whole new array of diverse acts to spend our weekends partying to.

So its no wonder, we have come to expect so much from the label that never fails to deliver. And it is always with anticipation when the next installment of the Maison Compilation series arrives. While Maison in French translates directly into house, some how Kitsune always manages to deliver more than just the standard 4/4 house you might expect. It is house at its best. The perfect melange of indie and electro with some traces of tech, a little dash of disco and equipped with just enough remixes to keep things clubby.

So with Masion Compilation 8 we are again treated to a varied assortment of treats. Some new friends, some old friends, and a load of good music. The perfect sample of things happening in the Kitsune hub (while always keeping things global, with some French, some German, some Australian and some Finnish). The comp kicks off some strong indie electro, keeping things fluffy for the start. Up all night has a big synth with a blippy edge. Its exaggerated indie vocals with its mash up electro edge is some how so signature Kitsune. Effortless perfection.

Showing off the labels talents, Siriusmo are let loose and this changes the sound a little, getting things slightly darker, whilst not completely moving away from that Kitsune sound. Something Golden, which has a Japanese hybrid synth sound is Kitsune at its best; full of surprises. The eerie female vocal teases us. Sounding haunting, with a Nordic accent and an almost sexual tone, before surprisingly delving into rap, this track sounds like it has heavy influences from the warmer sides of The Knife.

Again, as with any compilation showcasing its stars, Midnight Juggernauts are dropped, and are ever so casually backed up a Daft Punk vs Crystal Castles sounding track. The sound on the comp keeps changing from track to track at this point and Brutal Weapons has a tech feel to it which seems quite daring for the compilation. The Harvard Bass Remix of Maximus, by Australian identity Beni is let loose, featuring fellow Australian Sam Sparrow on vocals, and keeps with the pace. Almost better than the original it’s a big tease, only hinting the vocal until the final moments.

There is a sense of casualness throughout this comp. While showing off the labels catalog of artists and their works, it seems so natural to just drop some of the biggest stars, and back them up with lesser known, more obscure sounding acts, and yet effortlessly get away with it. Perhaps this is the daring nature of the French, but it seems to only add the to the cred of the label. Friction Between the Lovers, is another standout, with its slightly grindy electro sound, and vocals which practically sound like gibberish, it’s impossible to distinguish what language it is. English, Japanese, Swedish??? Less confusion on the next track though, which is straight up French – ish.

With the changing pace of the comp, things get indie again, when the anthem This Momentray is dropped. This signals a wind down in sound overall, with more airy vocals and soothing electronic infused pop on the following tracks. Find the Fire, is what Madonna’s Borderline would have sounded like if it was brought straight into 2009, and Control has a familiar sound, with its Roisin Murphy-esque vocals, again, pulling off the sultry seductive sound which is signature Kitsune. The perfect ending to the comp. However, always full of surprises Kitsune do not let us leave, not before offering us a couple of last treats with a fitting encore. I Love London, with its erratic sound is the perfect encore tune, and is backed up by I Am the Sound, another perfect encore tune, for the end of the night. Not at all nasty, this is a warm little burner, which gets better with every listen. Some how it sounds like the ultimate break up song. Happy and sad at the time. Happy because fun was had, sad its all over.

Its seems as if Kitsune has now provided the soundtrack for every house party over last couple years. It music that all lovers of different sub categories of dance music love, as it has a little bit of everything, whilst still remaining unique. This has become the essences of the Kitsune sound and Maison 8 is the perfect reflection of this. Well worth checking out.

Tracklisting for Kitsune Maison Compilation 8

01. French Horn Rebellion: “Up All Night”
02. The Drums: “Let’s Go Surfing”
03. Siriusmo: “High Together”
04. Le Corps Mince de Françoise: “Something Golden”
05. Midnight Juggernauts: “This New Technology”
06. Heartsrevolution: “Dance Till Dawn”
07. Logo: “Junocide”
08. Two Door Cinema Club: “I Can Talk (Moulinex Remix)”
09. Slagsmålsklubben: “Brutal Weapons”
10. Beni: “Maximus (Harvard Bass Remix)”
11. AMWE: “Friction Between the Lovers”
12. Jolie Cherie: “Star”
13. Chew Lips: “Salt Air (Alex Kapranos Remix)”
14. Delphic: “This Momentary”
15. Memory Tapes: “Bicycle”
16. Parallels: “Find the Fire”
17. Nottee: “Control”
18. ENCORE
19. Crystal Fighters: “I Love London”
20. My Tiger My Timing: “I Am the Sound”